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John Muir High School Northern Arizona University

Alvin Lyles Obituary

March 6, 1930 - June 15, 2020 Mr. Alvin Elvin Lyles attended Northern Arizona University at Flagstaff, Arizona and graduated with his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Music. He first taught at the elementary schools in Phoenix, Arizona and then taught for a year at Phoenix Union High School before moving to California. He arrived in California in 1968 and taught music for a year at Roosevelt Junior High School in Compton, California. In 1969 his teaching career excelled as he began teaching at Dominquez High School. It was at this point in the Fall of 1970 that he began teaching at John Muir High School in Pasadena, California. He was a tremendous success as the school's band director and because of him the band, to some degree became the pride of the community even to the chagrin of their rivals the Pasadena High School Bulldogs all in good fun as Mr. Lyles was all about fun though serious about professionalism and music. He was ultimately responsible for the success of the John Muir High School Marching Band, Concert Band, and Wind Ensemble. John Muir High School's Band music program was so successful starting in his first year that during his first tour to Arizona with the John Muir High School Wind Ensemble, Mr. Al Lyles' band earned the title and the right to be called "The Best in the West" after 5 standing ovations by fellow competitors, adjudicators, and music educators alike! Ultimately, Mr. Al Lyles knew how to work with the community, the Parent Teacher Association, the band parents, and his fellow music faculty. Unfortunately, all good things sometimes come to an end and "Uncle Al" moved on to teach Jazz History and Concert Band at Santa Monica City College for the remainder of his 29 year music career in music, having won many awards and honors as John Muir High School's esteemed Band Director. Mr. Al Lyles is survived by his sister O'Lillian Childs, and is preceded in death by his parents, William Lyles Sr. and Nefus (Taylor) Lyles, a brother William Lyles Jr, and sisters Williemae Lyles, Virginia (Sam) Perry, Lucy (Carl) Kinney, Helen Lyles, and a host of Nieces and Nephews, Great Nieces and Nephews, Great-Great Nieces and Nephews, and Great-Great-Great Nieces and Nephews and a plethora of faculty and alumni from his music teaching career, particularly at John Muir High School, many of who loved him as a father.

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Published by Whittier Daily News on Aug. 7, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Alvin Lyles

Sponsored by Whittier Daily News.

17 Entries

Mike Simmons

December 21, 2024

Mr. Lyles taught me to love jazz. I was 18 attending Santa Monica College.

Today, I am sitting in North West Connecticut this morning listening to Kind of Blue on vinyl . Its a legendary album from a legendary trumpet player Miles Davis. My world did not intersect with the world of jazz growing up. But I developed a love for Jazz that's lasted and flourished through my adult life because I was lucky enough to take a class about jazz with Mr. Alvin Lyles.
He did what he set out to do with this class, he instilled a deep love and profound appreciation of jazz music and the struggles of the black artists that are represented by the music.
Thank you Mr Lyles for a life dedicated to helping others learn and appreciate music.

Philip L. Nash

October 18, 2023

I was deeply saddened to hear of Mr Lyles' passing. I regret not being in a position so I could´ve learned more and benefitted from the wisdom, encouragement and instruction the he afforded so many of his students. Unfortunately, 1974-1975 was a very difficult period in my life - so difficult that my parents pulled me out of Muir after two years and sent me to a private school for my junior and senior years. I feel like I missed out in many ways and regret that things weren´t different. Nevertheless, I´m happy that he inspired and touched the lives of so many of his students as well as others. He deserves to be honored and remembered in the uplifting manner expressed by those on this page, many of whom are former students. Rest in peace Mr. Lyles.

Nadir

January 9, 2023

He introduced me to the real Jazz at Santa Monica College. Was listening to Dave Brubeck so I decided to google him and found this page. Great teacher.

Patti Palen

October 22, 2020

He was the best, and often in my thoughts - always the music

H. Thompson

October 20, 2020

I was Alvin's friend and neighbor for 20 + years, in the San Fernando Valley, when he was teaching at Santa Monica City College. We continued to be friends when he moved Arizona. I have so many fawn memories of our time together. I heard that" Death leaves a heartache on one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal. Al, thank you for the time we had together. Blessing you forever.

Ned Snow -- JMHS Class of 1972

August 17, 2020

Discipline. Al drove us to march and play our best. I can still hear him say, “Go back. Do it again!” until we got it right. The result was some impressive halftime shows, of which we could all be proud. Later in his first year at John Muir High School, he demanded that same discipline in the band room in preparation to earn a superior rating at the Arizona State University concert band competition, and an appearance in the Command Performance concert that evening.

The discipline to expect the best of myself that I learned from Al has served me well in life in general, and in music in particular. It fuels my desire to continue improving as a musician 50 years later.

Al was a great example of embracing a love for music for an entire lifetime.

Mike Culver - Class of ‘75

August 13, 2020

I am honored to have been one of the many hundreds of students upon whom Mr Lyles had a profound impact. He taught not only music but also life skills and values to his students, such as honor, duty, respect, tolerance, and love. He was one of those people who, even when he had to correct you (which he did a few... ok, a LOT of times with me!) you always knew he was doing so because he genuinely cared about the kind of adult I would someday become. I hope I made you proud Mr Lyles, you are truly one of the best! I love you and will see you on the other side. Tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet HEY JOHN MUIR!!

Laurie Helm

August 12, 2020

Al Lyles was my teacher, my mentor, my friend. I pursued a career as a middle-school music teacher largely due to his influence. He was a gifted musician and a passionate educator. He loved music, teaching, and his students. The impact he had on the lives of many of his students is evidenced in the loving and grateful tributes that have been posted. I will miss him terribly.

Tina (Phillips) Robinson

August 11, 2020

You taught us about life with good humor, trust, kindness, and authority. You epitomized the best that a teacher can offer. You even took time with me and I wasn’t one of your students. Carry on now that you are an angel in heaven! JMHS ‘73

Norm Abejon

August 8, 2020

Rest In Peace Mr Lyles...everyone at John Muir High School learned learned great lessons from you..may God embrace you lovingly

George E. McGruder

August 8, 2020

The last time I saw him we were kidding around and I called Mr. Lyles he said Al ,and told him he would always Mr. Lyles. He also told me our band was hands down the best he ever had ,I told how great it was that which ever songs were top 5 songs on KGFJ radio that they were our halftime songs the next week and you better know your part. The discipline he demanded made me better not in future music endeavors but in life R.I.P.

Harry L Saunders Jr

August 8, 2020

Hello - Al Lyles was my John Muir High School Band Director - he was given the honorary title "Uncle Al" by his students and to some like myself, he was like a father. He will most definitely be missed. If there was one thing I wish I could do with Al again before he departed into heaven hands - that would be to poke him in his side so I could hear the big Al Lyles laugh just one more time. Rest in Peace Al - you were the best!

Jon Mayer

August 8, 2020

Big Al as he was called was a towering figure. Tough but fair.
So I met him over the phone initially. He found out about my background
backing the great jazz vocalists and offered me a position working with Jaxx vocal students at SMC. He was a teddy bear offering support that helped me and the student body.
RIP Al
Jon Mayer. co-worker

Sam Estrada

August 7, 2020

Mr. Lyles was a great teacher and motivator. He was a father figure to many of the Muir Band members; he always had words of encouragement.

Robert Spurlock

August 7, 2020

RIP Uncle Al

Sue McCloud Gibson

August 7, 2020

As his 2nd band/ wind ensemble secretary at JMHS and a life long friend, I can never repay him for the excellence, self esteem and professionalism that he gave to me and the students he taught. I can only pay forward all the generosity and hospitality he showed to me as an adult. He will always be a treasured friend and guiding light. Sue McCloud Gibson. JMHS ‘72

Rose Marie Toliver

August 7, 2020

I was a special friend of Al’s and have memories of my many trips with him. May he Rest In Peace and know he left his footprint on many lives.

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