Stanley Lyons

Horseshoe Beach - LYONS, Stanley Dewayne "SD," age 86, of Horseshoe Beach, FL passed away peacefully on July 5, 2021, from an extended illness.

SD was born in Pompano Beach, FL in 1935. He is preceded in death by his parents, Edgar Telton Lyons, and Lillian Brown Lyons; his brother, Collis Vance Lyons, his sister, Carole Ann Stella; and his former wife of twenty-nine years and the mother of his children, Norma Jean Ryan Lyons. He is survived by his children, Kelly Hale (Tommy), Beverly Hurtt, Kevin Lyons (Milena), Brian Lyons (Lynn); seven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren; his former wife and devoted friend, Cathy Cain Lyons and her two sons (and predeceased daughter), five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

SD grew up on a farm in Live Oak, FL and won the National Agricultural award at the age of twenty. He continued farming throughout his life, growing watermelons commercially for many years. He served in the US Navy as an airplane mechanic based out of Jacksonville, FL. After relocating to Alachua, FL in 1969 he started Mid-Fla Hauling and was instrumental in building many roads, highways, and sections of interstate throughout Florida and Georgia. After retiring from trucking in 1982, he opened The Connection restaurant in Alachua, FL and worked there every day until his retirement in 2001. Even in his later years he could not sit idle. He developed and patented a remote-controlled anchor for boats and designed and installed sea walls up and down the gulf coast. He had an innate ability to repair or make, any and everything. He readily passed along his generational knowledge to everyone, willing to learn.

He was an avid fisherman, respected businessman, a loving father, and a loyal friend. He was best known for his ability to ride out a storm of any kind, with his exceptional sense of humor.

A graveside service for SD will be held at 11:00a.m. on Friday, July 9th at Beulah Baptist Church Cemetery, 22390 144th Street, Live Oak, FL 32060. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Archer-Milton Funeral Home, Lake Butler, FL. 386-496-2008 www.archerfuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Beulah Baptist Church.

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

Published by Gainesville Sun from Jul. 7 to Jul. 9, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
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4 Entries

Jana Key

July 9, 2021

I want to extend my condolences to the entire family. There were so many life lessons and good advice given to me over the years from Dewayne. After reading about his life accomplishments I learned things I never knew about him. Not surprised as he just wasn´t a man to talk about himself like that. He didn´t need to because he was right there working or fixing anything that needed to be done.
at The Connection. I will always remember his sense of humor. He was working right along with staff to keep us going. We had some good working days no doubt and he was right there on the front line with us. I know his family will greatly miss him no doubt. Rest assured he was a good honest business man true to his word and my favorites boss.
Love in Christ.
Jana Key

Gina Rewis Welch

July 9, 2021

I took this photo when I went & stayed with Uncle Dewayne and I named it Dewayne's Haven. So missed.

Gina Rewis Welch

July 9, 2021

Horseshoe will never be the same for us. I miss you so much Uncle Dewayne & Dad's heart is broken. I will never forget the late night card games at Horseshoe, your cooking, your laugh & most of all your loyal friendship. Rest easy.

Rene Waters

July 9, 2021

It has been such a heartfelt privilege to have had SD as a friend in my life, I've had many quiet times with him at his kitchen table talking about family, work, recipes, hurts and pains, politics, marriages, love, hate, ideas and the beauty that surrounded us. He was wise to it all, and we never had a boring conversation, and always found humor in most every subject. He was easy to talk to and fall in love with. He was a man that wanted respect and gave it. He wanted so bad to get back to living in his last year, he tried so hard. He was a giant in this world, and he left his mark, but most importantly he was my friend. I will love and miss you so much! I only had you in my life for a few short years, im so blessed to have met you. Rest in peace my friend.

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