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<p>Those who know <em>Lyle Thomas Jones</em> will remember his love for his wife, Joyce, and his family. They will also recall the strength of Lyle’s character and his high regard for other people.</p>
<p>Lyle graduated from Henry High School in his hometown of Minneapolis, MN. There, he was regarded as an excellent student and became an All-State wrestling champion. He joined the Class of 1960 at the United States Military Academy and continued his high academic standing and leadership skills. As a cadet, Lyle was always someone you could trust. He was a man of integrity, and he continued that character trait throughout his life. He was also highly inclusive and reached out to his friends. He continued to bring people together as a cadet, as an Air Force officer, as a business executive, as a classmate, as a father, and as a friend.</p>
<p>In June 1960, Lyle and Joyce were married 10 days after his graduation. They maintained their remarkably close union for a little over 50 years—until Joyce passed away. Their legacy is a close-knit family that consists of three children: Kimberly, Mark, and Nick; 11 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren, at last count.</p>
<p>Their first Air Force assignment was with strategic missiles. However, Lyle was able to get into Navigator School and entered the flying-side of the Air Force. His assignments took him to Texas, Colorado, Alabama, California, Okinawa, Michigan, Ohio, Florida, Thailand, Vietnam, and finally back to Ohio. Joyce bore a major part of raising the family, who accompanied Lyle where they could. Lyle flew C-135s, C-141s, and C-130s, including a tour with the AC-130 Spectre gunship unit. They concluded their Air Force career at Wright-Patterson AFB in Ohio in the acquisition and test business, where Lyle served in program management and as squadron commander of the Flight Test Squadron. After being grounded due to serious back surgery, Lyle and Joyce decided to retire from the Air Force and join the civilian ranks. Their children were off on their own and it was time to settle down.</p>
<p>For five years Lyle served as a program manager with Northrop Corporation in Chicago, IL. He later returned to Ohio and Cincinnati Electronics. There, he served as program director and was promoted to division general manager. Finally, they settled into their forever home in Lebanon, OH. After seven years, the company changed ownership, and Lyle decided to move on and open a consulting business. He also became an enrolled tax preparation agent with H&R Block, where he prepared high-income tax returns and taught others the business.</p>
<p>Finally, with the urging of Joyce, they both retired—Joyce from her interior design business and Lyle from consulting and tax work. They were then able to enjoy their country estate with a nine-acre lake, where the children and grandchildren enjoyed fishing, swimming, and jet skiing. In his later years, Lyle was plagued by multiple surgeries, which included his back fusion, three hip replacements (first one lasted 22 years, then had to be replaced), rotator-cuff repair, and finally a triple bypass. However, he didn’t let those operations and other health problems slow him down, and he and Joyce continued their country living. For their 50th wedding anniversary he and Joyce took their entire family to Marco Island, FL. The family is forever grateful for the happy memories that trip provided.</p>
<p>Joyce passed away peacefully in March 2011 with her family by her side. Lyle’s grief must have been unimaginable, but he still stayed in touch with family and friends. He still reached out and brought people together in ways that only he could do. He continued to travel throughout the country, attending reunions with his class and service mates. He was looking forward to the 60th reunion of the Class of ’60 at West Point in April 2020. Then COVID hit!</p>
<p>Lyle loved his family. He enjoyed sitting at the head of the table at Thanksgiving; surveying all he and his wife were blessed with; and loving each day that he had to enjoy them. He was a good father, and somehow an even better grandfather, and an even greater great-grandpapa.</p>
<p>Lyle loved his friends, spending time with couples whenever he and Joyce could. After her loss, he and three other close widowers would meet regularly and play euchre. He never met a stranger, and he could bring anyone standing on the wings into a conversation and make them feel special and part of something.</p>
<p>Lyle had a strong faith. As a member of the Catholic Church, he attended faithfully. He volunteered and served in numerous capacities. He provided the Eucharist to shut-ins and often led the rosary at multiple nursing homes.</p>
<p>Lyle loved his freedom and the flag for which it stood. He dedicated his life to honoring the men and women who gave their all to make it strong. He got the chance to partake in an Honor Flight in 2019. He wished all service men and women could experience that tour by such a great group of volunteers. He was always quick to thank a veteran, of any branch, when he saw someone wearing their colors. He never wanted any recognition in return. When asked, he would state what a great honor it was to serve and would share a quick story. And what a great storyteller he was.</p>
<p>At his funeral several people mentioned to Lyle’s children that, “When God made man, your dad was what He had in mind.”</p>
<p><em>— Frederick B. Plummer Jr.’60 and Lyle’s children: Kimberly, Mark, and Nick</em></p>
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