Mr. Lyle Emerson Keyes

Lyle was born in Blue Springs, Missouri in 1915 and was the youngest of five children. His father worked for one of the railroads which was a very good job to have during World War I and the years to follow. During the Depression, Lyle joined the Navy as a Seaman and served in the Pacific on several ships including one commanded by (then) Captain Nimitz.. He met his true love Lettie, through Lettie's brother who was a shipmate of Lyle's. After meeting, Lyle and Lettie began a "pen pal" courtship and were then married at Yuma, Arizona in 1941. Over the years Lyle moved up the promotion ladder eventually becoming a Supply Corps Lieutenant Commander. He was quite well versed in the oil business and was Officer in Charge of several military oil storage and pipeline facilities in the U.S. and overseas. His duty stations included several ships (one aircraft carrier) and many shore stations in the U.S. and abroad. His last shore station was in San Diego where he and Lettie wanted to “retire� after his 30 year naval career. Lyle spent a couple of years in “retirement� and then worked for a company with inventory and fuel systems problems. After that job was completed he accepted a supply control position with the California Department of Health in San Diego. Over time and a little political maneuvering he was offered a complex operations position at a State facility in Atascadero, California near San Luis Obispo. After several years there he felt he had completed his “mission�, retired from the State, and moved back to San Diego. Lyle and Lettie were devoted to each other and married for over 63 years. They spent their years together enjoying time with their friends, their church, and their two sons. Lyle was a voracious reader, a very well-informed student of Middle East history and politics, and a common sense thinker. His travels in the Navy took him to over 40 countries in North America, Asia, Australia, China, Europe, Mongolia, India and Africa. Other trips included visits to all 50 U.S. states. After his navy service, he and Lettie traveled to Alaska, China. Europe, Israel, and Egypt. He was 94 years young and still had a great sense of humor in the days prior to the time when he went to be with the Lord.