Major Charles S. Lyon, USAF, Ret., 87
Major Charles Stephan Lyon "Chuck" passed away peacefully on December 23, 2022, in his home surrounded by his family.
Chuck was born October 18, 1935, in Chicago, Illinois to the late Charles William Lyon and Anna Batka Lyon
Chuck graduated from Lane Technical High School in 1953. After attending college, he entered the Aviation Cadet program of the United States Air Force to fulfill his dream of flying.
Upon receiving his pilot's wings in 1958, he completed advanced flying school in propellered airplanes and then the T-33 jet trainer. One of his fondest assignments was the opportunity to fly the F-100. He was then transferred to Salina, Kansas where he was on a combat crew during the Cold War, flying the B-47. While flying the B-47 for the Strategic Air Command, he was awarded the Outstanding Unit Award, the Combat Readiness Medal, and the Combat Crew Badge. His next assignment brought him to Dover Air Force Base, where he flew the C-133 and flew missions to Viet Nam supplying troops. During that time, he received the Viet Nam Service Medal and the Republic of Viet Nam Campaign Medal. In Spring of 1966, he graduated from Squadron Officers' School in Montgomery, Alabama. After leaving active duty in 1968 he joined the Delaware National Guard where he flew the C-130 and was Flying Safety Officer. As Flying Safety Officer, Chuck would create skits to teach safety procedures. These creative skits, using props from home, were effective and extremely well received. He retired from the United States Air Force in 1977 with the rank of Major.
His civilian flying began with Capitol International Airways flying the DC-8. He enjoyed flying passengers all over the world and being able to interact with them. During Desert Shield/Desert Storm he flew supplies under the CRAF (Civilian Reserve Air Fleet) program to various areas and received the USAF Air Medal. He flew the DC-8 for 25 years and retired from Kalitta Airways.
Chuck was a member of the Military Officers Association, the Order of Daedalians, the National Guard Retired Officers Association, and the Air Line Pilots Association. He enjoyed helping refurbish a C-133 at the Air Mobility Command Museum and then greeting tourists as they came to view the museum. Sharing information about his flying experiences with tourists and fellow military members was a great joy.
Chuck was a member of St. Andrew's Lutheran Church where he was active in the Chancel Choir, Men of St. Andrew's, and served on Church Council and various committees.
In addition to his parents; he was preceded in death by his sisters, Elaine Suzanne Lyon and Laverne Marilyn Barica.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Ruth Pauline Rociak Lyon; daughter, Susan Ann Spadaro and her husband Thom of Gardena, CA; his granddaughter, Ashley Maria Spadaro, whom he would refer to affectionately as his "little bug," and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be held on Wednesday, December 28, 2022 at 11 a.m. at St. Andrew's Lutheran Church, 425 N. DuPont Highway, Dover, DE 19901. Internment will be at a later date at Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Bear, DE.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to St. Andrew's Lutheran Church, 425 N. DuPont Highway, Dover, DE 19901 or the Air Mobility Command Museum, 1301 Heritage Rd., Dover AFB, DE 19902-5301.
Letters of condolences may be sent, and guestbook signed at www.tolbertfuneral.com