Everett John Lyon, 75, of South Royalton, Vermont, passed away Saturday, February 16, 2019, after an illness. He was born in Bethel, November 21, 1943, soon after his father, Ernest, passed. He was born to Mayford Lyon (Stoddard), a beloved mother and grandmother.
Everett attended schools in Bethel and South Royalton, graduating high school in 1962. He worked many different jobs throughout school. At 18 he was accepted into a competitive electrical apprenticeship program for General Electric in Burlington. He made his way into tool making and became an electro-mechanical technician. As machines became more complicated, he continued to learn, expanding his knowledge to include electronics, mechanics, hydraulics and pneumatics. As machine controls became more complicated, he learned those too, going to college at night to learn computer programing languages and keeping pace with digital controls as they became more complex with increasingly refined variable tolerances. He climbed from the hourly ranks into management, eventually leading a team of over 125 engineers and workers to keep over 5,000 machines maintained at peak efficiency.
He retired at 42 and began his own consulting business, Lyon Automation. One of Everett’s proudest accomplishments was becoming a machine manufacturer and becoming the only vendor in the world for key maintenance equipment for the U.S. military.
He leaves behind his dear wife of 53 years, Flora Howes, originally of Moretown; two daughters, Stacey Martin and her husband David and Christine Lyon and her partner Grant MacKay; grandchildren, Ashley and her husband Miguel, Marc, Ryan, Kristin and her wife Katie, Erin and Kelsey; and a great-grandson, Logan; a brother, Albert Lyon, and a sister, Marjorie Heil, and their families; and “adopted son” Larry Wilson along with his wife Felice and their children, Andrew and Lena. He is predeceased by his son, David, whose absence continues to be felt in the family every day.
Everett was a member of the VASA ATV Club, a Mason with the South Royalton Lodge and a mentor with the Robotics Team at Vermont Technical College. He enjoyed puttering at several properties and tinkering in his shop. He was always happiest in the woods, either on an ATV or on foot, sharing his greatest love with friends and family or all on his own. He loved fireworks, a good bonfire or a campfire surrounded by family and friends alike. Tubing down the White River was a favorite summer pastime. Everett loved music and often shared a song or could be heard singing to himself. He was an excellent provider for his family and shared generously with many in need throughout the community.
Friends may call on Saturday, February 23, 2019, from 3 to 6 p.m. at Perkins-Parker Funeral Home, 48 South Main Street, Waterbury. A private family graveside service will follow in the spring. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org). The family thanked Gifford Medical Center, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Visiting Nurses for Vermont and New Hampshire, and Hope Home Care Services for the quality of care they provided during his illness. To send online condolences visit www.perkinsparker.com.
