Karl H. Lyon Jr

Karl Hamilton Lyon, Jr., 74, of Portsmouth, Nursing Home Administrator at Forest Farm Health Care Center, Middletown, RI, died Thursday, March 12, 2015 at home. He was the devoted husband of Greer (Barber) Lyon. Born on September 27, 1940, in Newport, RI, he was the son of the late Karl and Marion (Coggeshall) Lyon. Besides his wife Greer of 52 years, he is survived by his children, Lisa Lyon and her husband Keith Mathews of Portland, Oregon, Michelle Lyon Sullivan of Middletown, RI and Gregory Lyon and his wife Michele of Upton, MA, and seven grandchildren: Oliver and Theo Mathews-Lyon, Zeb, Addison and Isla Sullivan; Bradley and Cassidy Lyon.He was preceded in death by his parents, his stepmother Muriel (Lindstrom) Lyon, and his son in law Paul Sullivan.As a youngster, Karl worked in the Coggeshall family fishing business. He attended Rogers High School and later graduated from Rindge Tech in Cambridge, Mass. He continued his education at East Coast Aero Technical School in South Weymouth, Mass.Karl lived a life of service to others. He proudly served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves and was an active member of the United Congregational Church in Middletown. He was an eager blood donor, participating as frequently as he was allowed.Prior to becoming involved with Forest Farm Health Care Center, Karl worked as carpenter on the Newport Bridge.Karl was an adventurous spirit who never said, "no." For his fortieth birthday, he volunteered as a crew member on the sloop Providence, sailing down the eastern seaboard. In his later years, he tried kayaking, snowshoeing and even skydiving. He loved traveling and visited Cameroon, Israel, Egypt, Germany, Italy, Hawaii, Alaska and England.Karl was fiercely proud of his children and grandchildren. He eagerly attended their sporting and theatric events and was continually looking to provide fun experiences for his grand kids and their friends. Whether gathering supplies for fishing, providing kayaks or securing a rubber raft in Mt. Hope Bay, he was always focused on doing for others.In recent years he traveled across the country in his RV and was happiest when he spent several weeks helping pick up debris after the 2013 Moore, Oklahoma tornado.He will be ferociously missed by friends and family.A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.Donations in his memory may be made to the Semper Fi Fund, 825 College Blvd, Suite 102 PMB 609, Oceanside, CA 9205, or to the Wounded Warrior Project PO Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675.