James A. Lyddon

1939 - 2017

James A. Lyddon 1939—2017
James A. Lyddon, 78, of Rockford, died suddenly July 12, 2017, at his home on Tug Lake in Irma, Wisconsin. He was born March 7, 1939, in St. Louis, Missouri, to his parents, Donald Withers Lyddon, Sr., M.D. and Ruth Karr. The family returned to Rockford in 1940, where Jim started grade school at P.R. Walker School while his father served in the Army in Europe during WWII. Jim was a self-described Army brat. He attended multiple grade and middle schools in the U.S. and Hawaii while his father continued to serve in the U.S. Army. The family again returned to Rockford in 1952, where Jim graduated from Rockford West High School in 1957. At West, he received all conference honors in football and was named all-state offensive tackle by the Chicago Tribune. He also lettered in basketball. Jim attended one year at Vanderbilt University and then transferred to Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, earning a B.S. in business in 1961. For 2 years in 1962-63, he studied at the University of Mexico, in Mexico City, studying Spanish, history, economy and the culture of Mexico where he became fluent in Spanish. Jim returned to the U.S. and enrolled in the American Graduate School of International Management, Thunderbird Campus (now part of Arizona State University) and obtained a B.A. in Foreign Trade in 1965. He went on to receive an MBA from NIU in 1973, and acquired his CPA. Jim joined the Arizona Army National Guard in 1964, and served for several years. Jim was employed by Strasenburgh Laboratories, an American pharmaceutical company from 1965 - 1970. He worked mostly in Ecuador, Columbia, Costa Rica, and Venezuela where he was Regional Manager and eventually General Manager for Central America. He lived in Guayaquil and Cuenca, Ecuador; Medellin and Bogota, Colombia; and Caracas, Venezuela. After returning to the US in 1970, Jim continued his education and worked 2 years as a corporate accountant for the Parker Pen Company in Janesville, Wisconsin. He then completed his MBA and CPA, and became a partner with Schweisberger & Lyddon, CPAs for 12 years. In 1992, Jim joined Rockford Anesthesiologists Associated, and thoroughly enjoyed working for them as their comptroller and CFO for the next 20 years. Jim married the love of his life, Karen Mahieu Lawson on August 4, 1990. They enjoyed 27 wonderful years together, loved to travel, cheer at Badger football games and enjoy their home on Tug Lake in Irma, WI for 14 years. Anyone that knew Jim knew that he loved sports! He loved his West High Warriors, the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team, and the University of Wisconsin Badgers! Locally, Jim coached, managed, and/or sponsored Boys Club Little League baseball teams for 14 years. Most notably were the Patriots, who won 2 regional championships, 2 state championships and finished the 1984 season 21-0! Jim was proud of the hard work and talent of the Patriots who earned their way to the finals in the Willie Mays World Series that was held in Rockford that year! Jim loved the color red! The many red hats and sweaters that he wore were of his favorite sports teams! And, of course the red, white and blue in the American flag! Jim is survived by his wife, Karen; stepson, Gene (Heather Kulpa) Lawson; beloved grandson, Nolan Lawson; brother, Dr. Donald (Virginia) Lyddon, Jr.; nephew, Steve (Amy) Lyddon of Springfield, IL and their children, Caitlin and Carter; and niece, Diane Lyddon of Reedsport, OR.
Please join the family for a Celebration of Jim's Life at 4 p.m. Sunday, August 27, Rockford Country Club. Enjoy the memories and share a story! Because Jim believed in education and enjoyed his role as grandfather of Nolan, 9, who loves to learn, donations can be made in Jim's name to: Spectrum Progressive School, 2909 N. Main St, Rockford, IL 61103. All donations will be used for books, technology and student enrichment. Contributions are tax deductible as a 501(c)(3) organization. Arrangements by Olson Funeral & Cremation Services, Ltd. To share a memory or send an online condolence, visit olsonfh.com.