Malcolm Wayne Lyons

Malcolm Wayne Lyons

Malcolm Wayne Lyons, 81, passed away on Thursday, November 30 at his residence in Orlando, Florida. He spent his last days surrounded in the love and care of his large family.

Wayne was born in 1942 in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania. His mother was Nancy Ellen Witmer Lyons and his father was Corman Fern Lyons. Wayne has one brother, Gerald Lyons.

Wayne graduated from high school in Bellefonte and went directly into the United States Army. He was stationed for 3 years in France and Germany. He was bit by the travel bug there and visited many places while stationed overseas. When he returned to the States, he drove to just about every state in the U.S., adding a sticker to his suitcase each time. He retained a love of travel for many years, visiting Israel and Egypt with his daughter Ann in 1998, France and Germany with his wife in 2007 and Africa with his daughter, Thea in 2012.

In 1971, Wayne moved to Orlando to work at Walt Disney World. He met his wife, Patricia in Orlando. Wayne and Pat were married at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church in Orlando where they were long-term members. Wayne was also a long-term member of the Orlando Pronaos, AMORC.

In 1980, Wayne began working for the United States Postal Service. He worked as a letter carrier for 28 years. His family remembers his extremely strong work ethic and his desire to be a good provider for his family, enabling his children to play soccer, softball, and take music lessons. He sacrificed so that his children and grandchildren would have the things they wanted.

Wayne is survived by his wife, Patricia, and their 8 children and 14 grandchildren: Ann, Jody (Matt), Dawn, Anastasia, Timothea, Cherie (Matthew), Jamie (Oren), Joseph (Danielle). Grandchildren are Hannah, Skye-Lee, Kaiden, Landon, Kaiya, Bryce, Keegan, Kierra, Logan, Kylie, Nolan, Kaleigha, Koralina, and Kallista (listed in birth order).

Wayne was a family man whose greatest joy was being present and engaged with his children and grandchildren. He taught all of his children, and many of his grandchildren, how to ride a bike. We all remember him running beside the bike offering encouragement. He was also known for "squeezing the stuffings" out of those he loved. Wayne taught all of his children and grandchildren how to give a proper hug.

He loved to play checkers and card games and never let anyone have an easy win, even if they were little. His children remember the swing set, tire pyramid, and the games of baseball, badminton, and soccer in the backyard. He would go straight from work into dad-mode, driving to games or concerts. He did the same with his grandchildren, never saying no to an opportunity to spend time with them or support them at a game or concert.

He was the best listener, knowing when to be silent and when to say a few words of wise advice. All who love him strive to emulate his ability to be silent, non-judgmental, and supportive.

Wayne loved the outdoors and took great pride in the care he took of his lawn and garden. His lawn was always immaculate and beautifully maintained. He especially loved bright yellow flowers. After his death, we found an undated letter that asked us to "go to a place of quiet, turn off the TV, radio, computer, cell phone or whatever yet to be invented new distraction that comes down the pike, and remember a long ago kind word or deed, smile or hug as from a long lost friend and I will never be gone. If you can be still, quiet the mind, and concentrate you will always sense my spirt and I will be with you always even until the end of time."