Ralph Bryon Lyon

Ralph Bryon Lyon, 81, passed away on the morning of August 14, 2012 at his home in Bellingham. His daughters Susan and Valerie were with him.

Ralph was born on May 10, 1931 in Alleghany County, North Carolina to Franklin Garfield Lyon and Bina Bell (Holcomb). The 8th of 12 children, his childhood was full of adventures with his siblings and hard work on the farm. At the age of 10 the family moved to Culpeper, Virginia where he graduated from Buckingham High School in 1950. From an early age Ralph could name and carve from wood most any airplane, hence he joined the Air Force in June 1950 and served 4 years. During that time he met Roxana Pfundt in Blaine, WA and they married in Sept. 1954. Two daughters, Susan (1956) and Valerie (1959) were born. In Feb. 1955 he joined the Army and served 3 years. Ralphs occupation as a Diesel Mechanic led him to live in Seattle, WA working for Kenworth Trucks and Downey, CA working for Mack Trucks and the L.A. Transit System.

He loved his home and yard in Talent, OR where he lived after retirement from 1993 to 2002 when he moved to Bellingham to be near his daughters. An intelligent and hard-working man, he never let himself get bored. He enjoyed working crossword puzzles, watching Nascar and the Mariners and taught himself the world of coin collecting. He had a hidden talent for writing poetry and being able to put his thoughts down in prose. He dearly loved his daughters, grandchildren and siblings.

Ralph is survived by his daughter Susan Danielson(Mark Anderson) of Mt. Vernon and daughter Valerie Lyon-Parker(David Parker) of Bellingham, two grandchildren Sophia and Graeme Parker and former wife, Roxana, of Bellingham. Four sisters, Stella of NC, Lois and Shirley of MD and Barbara of SC in addition to nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his father, Franklin, mother Bina, brothers Arvil, Albert, Harvey and Ray and by sisters Eunice, Virginia and Vivian.

A very special thank you to caregivers Janet and Lynn who helped us to keep Dad in his home as was his wish, and to Whatcom Hospice for their loving, gentle care. Ashes to be placed at Stillwaters in Greenacres Memorial Park.

A Psalm Unto Myself by Ralph B. Lyon

The eastern sky is getting light Soon the sun will chase away the night The world around us will wake up and say Thank you , Lord, it's gonna be a beautiful day.

Sixty-five years ago on just such a day, A little before noon on the 10th of May I came into this world, toothless and bare. By the grace of God and Motherhood, I'm still here.

The world hardly noticed when I came; No bands played, no bells rang. And when the Lord says it's time, you can't stay, Thank you, Lord it's been a good day.

The day is now spend, the sun is going down; Soon darkness will reclaim its crown. It's time to go home now, work will have to wait. Say, isn't that St. Peter there by the gate?

I didn't do everything I wanted to do; Time was just too short, the days too few. Life has been good though in many ways; Thank you, Lord for all these beautiful days.

If there was one thing I could change today, To go back again and do another way, I wish I had been closer to family and kin, And to the God who made me, Amen.

Epitaph by Ralph B. Lyon

Save your prayers for those who remain I will not need them ever again Save your tears for when you are alone My eyes cannot see them, my soul is gone Save the flowers, in the garden let them grow Save your kind thoughts, I already know.