Bruce E. Lyons' Obituary
Bruce Lyons was born on July 16, 1930 to parents David and Francis Lyons and passed away at the age of 89 on March 2, 2020.
Raised in the Alki area of West Seattle, Bruce’s early days were often spent at the Natatorium, a community center with an indoor saltwater pool. Bruce’s childhood came to a turning when he broke a window at the Natatorium and was collared by its manager, Hess Viney, who promptly threatened to “make something positive of him”. Hess became a mentor, giving him responsibility for younger kids in the facility as well as occasionally having him embarrass struggling lifeguard candidates by diving into the pool to retrieve a fire hose thrown in to simulate a drowning victim.
That trust and responsibility, as well as the realization that he could work hard and make a little money, set a foundation he never strayed from. Successes followed him as he was elected President of the West Seattle Boy’s Club, maintained good grades and moved on to West Seattle High School where he ran track and played football. Playing both running back and kicker, Bruce would recount stories of once recovering his own kick in his opponent's end zone for a touchdown as well as playing in the first ever televised sporting event in Washington, the 1948 Thanksgiving Day High School Football Classic. Bruce would also tell of the time his father overheard the bus driver complaining about how ”Lyons had lost the game” and promptly pulled him off the bus under threat of physical violence.
Throughout his early years, Bruce and his brother Chuck (deceased) grew up confident in the love of their father. Years were tough, though. Bruce’s mom left the family, and the family home where the boys slept in an enclosed porch was eventually lost due to financial challenges. Bruce and Chuck ended up having to move in with their mother, aunt and grandfather, perhaps accounting for his adventurous summers. How many can say they spent their 17th birthday working on a merchant marine vessel navigating the Panama Canal, only to be dropped off in Boston with a final paycheck and desire to save money by hitchhiking home? Subsequent summers were spent in a logging camp where Bruce insisted on setting choker and slinger to stay in good “football shape”.
After High School, Bruce attended the University of Puget Sound on a football scholarship. Finances and the Korean War spelled an end to his days at UPS, and Bruce enlisted in the Army, serving honorably in the U.S., Korea and Japan. Upon his return, he took advantage of the GI Bill and enrolled at the University of Washington where he earned a degree in Civil Engineering while also working at the Seattle Police Department and putting his mom through nursing school at Seattle Pacific University.
After graduating, in 1959 Bruce married the love of his life and fellow West Seattle native, Paula (Kelso). Their marriage got off to a memorable start when Bruce and Paula, accompanied by her parents, eloped to Montana in a two seat 1957 Thunderbird. Things blossomed from there to include three children; Curt (Laura Mohr), Craig (Wendy) and Christine (Amy Erickson) as well as two dearly loved grandchildren, David and Matthew Lyons. Bruce and Paula celebrated their 60th anniversary this last year.
Bruce’s professional career started with the Army Corps of Engineers but really gained traction when he joined the ranks of the American Plywood Association in Tacoma. Bruce went from Engineer to Manager to Director and finally to Vice President and General Manager over the course of 30 plus years with APA. Known for his honesty and integrity, he served on numerous industry and government committees including a presidential study team focused on low cost and inner-city housing. Bruce made strong friendships throughout the forest products industry.
Bruce never lost his love of participating in sports. After years of working and gaining a few pounds, in his early forties he set to training for the Pierce County Decathlon, which he won two years in a row. He always loved golf but enjoyed it most while playing with his two grandsons and never more than when he was able to witness Matt score the hole-in-one that had somehow always eluded him.
While work was a huge part of Bruce’s life and how he viewed himself, the love he shared with Paula and his family defined him in his later years. Family time often centered around a good meal (he was quite proud of his lasagna) and, thanks to Christine, a marathon family Texas Hold’em tournament. In his life and in his love, Bruce always made the most of the hand he was dealt.
While Bruce will be missed by all who knew him, his positive impacts create a lasting presence.
What’s your fondest memory of Bruce?
What’s a lesson you learned from Bruce?
Share a story where Bruce's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Bruce you’ll never forget.
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