Michael P. Lyon

October 18, 1952 to

June 29, 2022

Provo, Utah —Michael Patrick Lyon was born October 18, 1952 near Ithaca, New York, to Cherie Moss Lyon and David Reed Lyon. Michael became the 3rd son in the family of five children. He passed away peacefully June 29 surrounded by family.

Michael's father was in the Army, so the family moved frequently. In 1968, the family moved to Provo where Michael graduated from Provo High School in 1970. He served in the Japan West Mission 1971-1973, and later graduated from BYU-Provo in Fine Arts and Asian Studies. Two influential mentors were Spencer Palmer and Hugh Nibley.

Michael loved learning and was a passionate and voracious reader. He loved many subjects including art, history, and especially religion. He was a gifted artist and created props and visuals for the Motion Picture studio, the BYU MOA and the Denver Museum. His work can be seen in multiple church videos on the Old Testament.

Beginning in 1990, Michael devoted his artistic talent to enhancing books published by the Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies (FARMS). He was artistic director for the latter half of the volumes in the Collected Works of Hugh Nibley. He read the various chapters, made a list of possible illustrations, and then began doing meticulous research to find out everything he could about each image. Michael then made detailed drawings to accompany the text, occasionally building models to provide the proper perspective. Finally, he crafted detailed captions for each illustration (many of which were truncated by the publisher's editors)

Michael served as a temple ordinance worker in the Denver and Provo Temples. He enjoyed helping to those going to the temple for the first time understand their Endowment. His years of research about sacred symbols, the creation story and rituals surrounding death, led to his presentation, "Compass and Square: Mormons, Masons and the Ancient Chinese". He saw the gospel encompassing all truth and shared his testimony of Christ being the Sacred Center.

Michael loved people. He was adored by children and adults alike and was an enthusiastic supporter of the artistic efforts of others. When traveling the world, he relished learning from craftsmen and laborers. Within his own family, he took great pleasure in entertaining children with magic shows, origami, puppets and stories from around the world. His art will continue to be enjoyed, but his legacy of love will always be treasured by those who had the great privilege to know him.

Please share personal stories on our Facebook page: Our Friend, Michael Lyon.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Interpreter Foundation, https://interpreterfoundation.org/foundation/donate/

Please note: In Memory of Michael Lyon

Services will be Tuesday, July 5th, at the Oak Hills Stake Center, 925 E. North Temple Dr., Provo, UT, viewing from 9:30-10:45am, funeral at 11:00am.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Deseret News from Jun. 30 to Jul. 1, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for Michael Lyon

12 Entries

Raynette Akoi Francom

June 24, 2025

I served with Lyons Choro over 50 years ago in the Japan West Mission (1972-1973). I was known as Akoi Shimai then. My memory of him was his artistic ability and drew the tree of life scene of the Book of Mormon. It was beautiful. We also put on a play for the YW and YM called Madame Butterfly. I was saddened to learn that he passed away. My deepest condolences go to his family

Behzad Tabatabaei

July 15, 2022

Behzad Tabatabaei

July 15, 2022

Behzad Tabatabaei

July 15, 2022

Behzad Tabatabaei

July 15, 2022

Behzad Tabatabaei

July 15, 2022

Behzad Tabatabaei

July 15, 2022

Behzad Tabatabaei

July 15, 2022

Behzad Tabatabaei

July 15, 2022

I was deeply saddened to hear of Michael´s passing. He was a close friend for many years. I first met Michael in the Ancient Library room in the Herald B. Lee Library. We became close friends. I was struck by his breath and depth of knowledge. Michael was always generous with his time and talents. While I was at BYU, I always enjoyed going with Michael to the Museum of Art. His keen observations and his unique gift for seeing patterns were amazing. I went with Michael several times to the Imperial Tombs of China exhibit and each time I learned something new. When I moved to California, Michael came multiple times, and we were able to visit various exhibits at the Getty Museum and the Getty villa. The last exhibit I saw with him at BYU Museum of Art was about the different paintings of Christ. It was memorable!
I will never forget Michael´s generous time and effort in helping me design my wedding cake and the backdrop with a tree of life motif. He made the concepts that we had discussed into reality. I am grateful for the books he inscribed for me with beautiful calligraphy.
Throughout the years we would talk often. I always cherished our conversations. Every time I would talk to him, I would learn something new and feel inspired. Whether in person or over the phone, I always felt a better man for having spent time with Michael. He had the gift of making the veil a bid thinner. Michael was able to connect different cultures and civilization. His spiritual insights, made this world and the next "one eternal round." Michael´s illustrations greatly enhanced the writings of Hugh Nibley, of whom he always spoke as a mentor.
I saw how he showed a genuine interest in everyone he met by asking them questions. Michael was always very humble. I witnessed how kindly he would treat his mother after her stroke, with great love and affection. His eyes would light up as he would talk about his mother or with respectful love as he told tell stories about his father. I had the honor of meeting both of his parents who were kind and gracious. Michael embodied the same characteristics. He was a gentle soul. Michael had a great smile, and he would laugh with great joy.
I will always cherish my friendship with him. Michael´s departure has left a great void. I will miss him greatly. I will never forget him! Goodbye my dear friend till we meet again!
With Deepest Sympathy and Condolences to his family and friends,
Behzad Tabatabaei and Family

Behrad Tabatabaei

July 12, 2022

My deepest condolences to the Lyon family.

Michael was a true friend and made all around him feel loved. He will be missed dearly.

Michael also had such great insights. Insights which always pointed back to the love of the Savior and existence of God.

Michael was a well of knowledge and yet so humble. He was truly without guile.

I will always remember Michael as a gentle giant in whose presence the veil always seemed thinner and the Savior´s love more tangible.

I´m grateful for the times Michael allowed me to participate or watch him create backdrops, cakes, or origami. He always made it seem so effortless and doable.

He had such a great imagination and ability to bring that imagination to life.

My life is truly blessed and better because of Michael´s influence.

When my wife and I were married, Michael gifted us this beautiful 100 year old Scroll (he had obtained on his mission for some future special occasion) and drew this beautiful picture for us.

It is full of symbolism and one of our most cherished wedding gifts.

We love you, Michael! Grateful for your life, example and friendship.

Behrad and family

Gary Gillum

July 1, 2022

Michael Lyon were close friends during many of my 36 years at BYU. The photo below is indicative of his deep testimony of the Gospel and his feelings for me and my family.

Annette Wiest Perry

June 30, 2022

I have so many wonderful memories of the Lyons family! Michael was a joy to be around and simply oozed talent. We had the most splendid, artistic decorations built especially for the large choir Christmas extravaganza every year created by Michael. He always had a twinkle in his eyes and was so fun and very interesting to talk to. I treasure those memories!

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