John Patrick Lyons

1930 - 2024

Lyons, John Patrick

October 19, 1930 - March 28, 2024

John Patrick Lyons died Thursday, March 28, 2024, at Whitestone Care and Wellness Center in Greensboro, NC. He was 93 years old.

John was born October 19, 1930, in Quincy, Massachusetts, the only son of John Patrick Lyons, Sr. and Olive Mildred Lyons. He spent his youth growing up in Quincy, Cape Cod and Weymouth, Massachusetts. His father was an Olympic soccer player and John played football and ran track at Weymouth High School, from which he graduated in 1948.

John enlisted in the U.S. Army in December 1948 and was trained as a Morse Code radio operator. He served primarily in Germany as part of US occupation forces and received an honorable discharge in 1952.

He married Barbara Belcher, only daughter of Harold and Emily Belcher of East Weymouth, on July 4th, 1954, in Weymouth, MA. That same year he was recruited by the Central Intelligence Agency to join their communications group. During his 25-year career with the CIA, he served at many duty stations around the world, including Cyprus, England, Tunisia, Germany, Ethiopia, Okinawa, California and Virginia. His family grew throughout these frequent travels; John and Barbara had five sons, all born overseas in four different countries.

John is survived by his former wife, Barbara; and sons, Robert (Greensboro, NC), James (Deb) of Brentwood, CA, Thomas (Fran) of Jamestown, NC, Steven (Sandy) of Lorton, VA and Edward (Lisa) of Madison, VA. These sons gave John eleven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. In addition to his father and mother, John was predeceased by his sister, Mildred and her husband Richard Perkins.

After leaving the CIA, John settled in Fredericksburg, VA and enjoyed retirement, his dogs and playing bridge there for forty years before moving to Greensboro in 2019. Despite restrictions during the pandemic, John enjoyed his final years at Whitestone. He loved animals and could often be found on his patio feeding the birds and visiting every dog whose owner brought them by. As described by the many new friends he made there, John was a sweet and kind man who was most proud of his sons and grandchildren. We will all miss his smile and having him in our daily lives, though he remains always in our hearts and memories.

At John's wish, his body was donated to the Wake Forest School of Medicine where he will help educate medical students, doctors and first responders.

A memorial is planned for a later date when his remains will be interred at the Massachusetts Veterans National Cemetery in Bourne, Massachusetts.

John loved dogs and they could always count on him for a scratch behind the ear or a treat from his pocket. He would be honored if, in lieu of flowers, donations were made to your local animal shelter or the ASPCA.