Robert passed away at his Newport Beach, California home with family at his bedside. He was 86 years old. Bob was a devoted husband to his wife Diane for 64 years. He had two children; Jack Lyons, born in Odessa, Texas in 1964 and Brad Lyons born in 1967 in Orange County, California.
Bob graduated from Santa Ana High School in 1957. Then came USC, where he was a member of the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity. He graduated in 1962 with a Bachelor of Science degree. It was also at USC where he met his wife Diane Hoyle Lyons. He followed his father James Lyons and brother Jim Lyons into the newspaper business with Freedom Communications Inc. as an advertising account executive for the Orange County Register. In 1963 he moved to Odessa, Texas in the same role in advertising for the Odessa American newspaper. It was also during this time he served in the Army Reserves at Fort Hood, Texas and later at Ford Ord in Monterey Bay, California.
In 1966, he moved his family back to California as National Advertising Manager for The Register. In 1975, he became publisher of the Daily Star Progress in La Habra, California. Then, in 1978, he moved his family to Crawfordsville as publisher of the Journal Review. After 10 years in Crawfordsville, he moved to Burlington, North Carolina as publisher of The Times-News. It was during his tenure in Burlington when he received national recognition for Best in General Excellence by the National Newspapers Association. He was a proud member of the Hoosier State Press Association and the North Carolina State Press Association. He was also a patron of the arts in Burlington. He and Diane maintain close friends in both Crawfordsville and Burlington.
Bob retired in 2000 and returned home to Newport Beach, California, where he and Diane settled into their retired life still with much purpose at hand. At retirement, Bob was recognized with his father and brother for contributing 150 years of faithful service with Freedom Communications, Inc. Bob applied the legacy of Freedom’s founder, R.C. Hoiles which helped shape the conservative culture in and free enterprise in Orange County. He supported any organization that aligned with the values that founded the country.
After retirement, he was heavily involved in philanthropy and helping those less fortunate. He was a proud member of the Freemasons. And for leisure he enjoyed his boat named See Lyons and loved hosting parties, fishing trips and time at Catalina Island with friends and family.
He was a staunch supporter of his USC’s Cardinal and Gold football program for many years, From 2000 onward. He attended many games with Diane and their dearest “Fight On” classmates and USC devotees from Newport Beach.
Bob was a quietly generous man and he and Diane enjoyed traveling the world hosting loved ones and friends at their Newport Beach home.
He will forever be missed by his family and friends. He is resting with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He lived a wonderful life of generosity and purpose. He was preceded in death by his parents James and Eleanor Lyons and his brother, James Lyons. He is survived by his wife Diane and his two sons Jack (Irene) Lyons of Costa Mesa, California and Brad (Robin) Lyons of Fishers, Indiana. He is also survived by two grandchildren; Miranda Christine Lyons and Alexander Hoyle Lyons, both of Indianapolis, Indiana. He was Uncle Bob to Carolyn Lyons, Leonard Lyons and Kate Canty. And he will be beloved by his brother in law Brian (Robin) Hoyle and nephew Warren Hoyle and Sabrina Hoyle.
