TERRANCE WARD LYONS

Terrence (Terry) Ward Lyons of Vero Beach, FL passed away on November 6th, 2025, at the age of 92. His humor and smart wit lasted until his final moments with us.

Terry was born on February 22nd, 1933, in Olean, NY to John and Jesse (Ward) Lyons. He and his two older brothers, Jack and Duane, would spend their childhood growing up in a loving home and town where they had many close friends. Terry met Barbara (Babs) Blue during their high school years and eventually would marry her in 1958 in what evolved into an incredible 67-year marriage.

Terry graduated from Purdue University, on a four-year academic scholarship, with a BS degree in Chemical Engineering and returned to western NY to begin his career with the Eastman Kodak Corporation. He also served as a 1st Lieutenant in the Chemical Corp of the U.S. Army.

Terry's outgoing and engaging personality led him to a successful career with Eastman in sales and advertising. As he excelled over his 38 years of employment at Eastman, he was transferred to multiple offices across the county to run and manage different aspects of the sales and advertising divisions of the company.

While living In Atlanta, Terry and Babs started a family with the birth of their first son, David, and three years later while in Chicago their second son, Douglas was born.

After spending several years in Kingsport Tennessee, Terry and his family eventually settled in Little Silver, NJ, where they made wonderful and lifelong friendships and raised their two boys.

Terry's biggest passions were spending time with his family, enjoying his summer home in Chatauqua, NY, his nightly dinner outings with Babs and authoring several books. He endlessly loved his 4 grandchildren and his four great grandchildren. Terry and Babs moved to Vero Beach 25 years ago, which allowed him to spend many, many special moments with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Terry thoroughly enjoyed the summers he spent in his beloved Chatauqua, NY home. For 20 years he and Babs would open their doors to family and friends in what became a family gathering spot. He also was very proud of his Irish heritage, spurring him to obtain his Irish citizenship and make frequent trips to the Emerald Isle. Locally, Terry was a long-time volunteer at the IRMC and member of Grand Harbor.

It was in Chatauqua that Terry discovered a late life passion for writing books. Terry has authored 4 books – 'Bar Hopping Thru America', 'Drinking Around the World', 'Circus' and 'Behind Bars-Famous Bars with Stories to Tell'. Two of his books were semi-finalists in the Florida Writers Association Book of the Year Award.

Terry's impeccable sense of humor and zest for life was extraordinary. His cherished family will miss him dearly – wife Barbara Lyons, son David (Lori) Lyons, son Douglas (Alice) Lyons, grandchildren Brittany (Andrew) Corr, Christopher (Nichole) Lyons, Riley (fiancée Laura) Lyons, Anne (John) Ferenz, great grandchildren Mason, Vivienne, Caden Corr and Annemarie Lyons.

There will be a funeral mass at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 500 Iris Lane, Vero Beach on Tuesday, 11/18/25 at 10:00am followed by a reception at Quail Valley River Club, 2345 Hihgway A1A, Vero Beach.

If interested in donating, the family asks that the following charitable organizations be considered: the local VNA & Hospice Foundation, the V Foundation for Cancer Research, and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.