James Howard Lyons

SIOUX CITY -- James Howard Lyons, 85, of Sioux City died Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008, at a Sioux City hospital.

Services will be 11 a.m. Monday at Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel, with Chaplain Sharon Cates of Mercy Medical Center officiating. Burial will be in Graceland Park Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the services Monday at the funeral home.

James was born Nov. 26, 1922, in Edgemore, Del., to Roland Sr. and Rachel M. (Townsend) Lyons. He graduated from Pennsgrove Regional High School in Pennsgrove, N.J. He served in the U.S. Army from September 1942 until February 1946, as an airplane and engine mechanic in the 200th Army Air Force Base Unit.

He was united in marriage to Audrey Hansen on June 6, 1944, in Sioux City. James was employed at the city of Sioux City in the engineering department doing special assessments for 26 years.

In his free time, he loved to play cards, especially Canasta, as well as listening to big band music and doing wood crafts. He served as a baseball coach in Little League, Babe Ruth and American Legion baseball, winning the city championship in 1960 with an undefeated perfect season. He was also involved with the Boy Scouts of America.

Survivors include his wife, Audrey L. Lyons of Sioux City; two sons, Carl Lyons of Vermillion, S.D., and Mike Lyons and special friend, Sandi Peterson of Omaha, Neb.; a daughter, Judy Wickstrom and her husband, Stan of Sioux City; a brother, Roland Lyons Jr. of Pennsgrove, N.J.; three granddaughters, Kerrie and her husband, Brian Mitchell, Mindie Lyons and Traci and her husband, Ryan Linduski; and three great-granddaughters, Jayden, Marissa and Ella Mitchell.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Frances Ellis.