Raymond Lavato Lyons

Raymond Lavato Lyons was born on August, 11th 1929, in Jacksonville, Florida. His parents Monroe M. Lyons and Ida Idell (Waters) Lyons, preceded him in death. Raymond had four sisters, Vicy, Ruby, and Estelle, Kathleen and a brother Walter F. (Fred) Lyons, who also preceded Raymond in Death.

Raymond joined the Florida State Guard in 1945 at the end of World War II. In 1947, he joined the Regular Army. He was a veteran of the Korean War. He served overseas in Germany, Korea, and Japan as well as numerous duty stations stateside.

1945-1946 Florida State Guard
1947 Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 32nd Medical Battalion (Ft Sam Houston)
1948 Detachment B, Medical Field Service School (Ft Sam Houston)
1948 745th Tank Battalion (Grafenwoehr FRG)
1948 7866th Heavy Tank Battalion (Provisional) (Grafenwoehr FRG)
1948 Company B 63rd Tank Battalion (Grafenwoehr FRG)
1948 Tank Company, 16th Infantry Regt (Zirndorf and Furth FRG)
1951 Tank Company, 6th Infantry Regiment (Berlin FRG)
1952 Company C, 13th Tank Battalion (Ft Hood)
1952 Company B, 508th Tank Battalion (Ft Hood)
1953 Company D 73rd Tank Battalion (Korea)
1954 8042nd Army Unit - Customs (Japan)
1955 Recon Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Cmd (Ft Benning)
1957 Tank Company, 32nd Infantry Regt (Korea)
1957 C Troop, 2nd Squadron, 10th Cavalry (Korea)
1958 Company D, 710th Tank Battalion (Ft Stewart)
1958 Company D, 3rd Medium Tank Battalion, 32nd Armor (Ft Stewart)
1961 Company B, 2nd Tank Battalion, 13th Cavalry (Kirchgoens FRG)
1961 Headquarters Company, 4th Battalion, 68th Armor (Ft Bragg)
1961 Headquarters Company, 4th Battalion, 68th Armor (Germany)
1962 D Troop, 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry (Ft Hood)
1964 Company B, 2nd Battalion, 13th Armor (Ft Hood)
1964 Tank Platoon, 84th Engineer Company, 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment (Nuremberg FRG)
1965 Company K, 3rd Squadron, 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment (Amberg FRG)
1966 5th Battalion 33rd Armor (Ft Knox).

His awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal 5th award, World War II Victory Medal, World War II Occupation Army and Air Force Medal with the Berlin Airlift Device, Medal for Humane Action, National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star, Korean Service Medal with two campaign stars, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with Bronze Arrowhead, UN Korean Service Medal, Republic of Korea War Service Medal. War Service Medal, and the Korean Defense Service Medal. Raymond retired from the Army in 1967 as a Sergeant First Class.

Raymond married the former Angeline Cook. They had seven children; Dwayne Anthony Cook, Donald Wayne, Ronald William, David Allan, Dorthea Lynn, Rebecca Idell, and Martin Raymond. Angeline, Dwayne, and Rebecca preceded Raymond in death.

Donald and Ronald reside in Copperas Cove, Texas; David lives in Saint Thomas U.S. Virgin- Islands; Dorthea resides in Warren, Michigan; and Martin, resides in Orlando, Florida.

Raymond has numerous cousins, nephews, nieces, as well as grandchildren and great- grandchildren.

After he retired from military service, Raymond worked as a Journeyman Press operator and retired from the Orlando Sentinel Star Newspaper Company.

During his lifetime, Raymond always helped those who he could. He made and kept loyal friendships from his time in the military and his civilian career as well.

Raymond was a stern example for us to follow. As a father, he was always there for his children.

Raymond enjoyed hunting with Fred, his brother; he was an avid fishing enthusiast who enjoyed both freshwater and saltwater fishing. He collected coins and military memorabilia for hobbies.

He was incredibly proud of his association and assignments with the "Big Red One" First Infantry Division, the 16th Infantry Regiment, and the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment. Raymond was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion.

Interment will be at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery, located in Killeen, Texas.

Graveside Services will be 3:00 PM, Friday the 28th of May at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery located in Killeen Texas.


Graveside Service Order

-Opening prayer

-Eulogy:

Thank you all for being here today.

I know dad is looking downright now on this and us. I truly believe he knows just how loved he really was. What can I say about dad? Dad was an honorable man, he was strict but fair, he was kind, charismatic, gentle, loving, and giving.

For all of us when times were tough, he'd tell us to keep going don't quit. He worked hard at everything he put his hands on. He touched so many. Dad was an incredible man. He loved life and he loved us, his children so much. I know we have all heard this before, life is a lot shorter than any of us realize and we just don't know what we've had until it's gone. I do know.

Dad was great man, I along with my brothers and sister will miss him terribly. We loved any time we spent with Dad whether it was on the phone far away or at home. There were always lessons to be learned. When he told stories, he captivated the room. My father was one of the greatest men I've known. He was an incredible father to of us and an incredible grandfather, an incredible teacher and an indelible friend. He taught so many lessons in life just by how he lived. I never stopped moving forward because of him. I know he is not in pain now and he is with the angels in heaven.

We will miss you dad and we love you. You are and forever will be our hero. God loved you and now you're home. We will see you again someday.

For my family. Luke 1:37 say. "for with God, nothing shall be impossible. If we put our trust in God, we can and will get through anything. While on our ride called life. We have to take the good with the bad, smile when we are sad, love what you've got and remember what you had. Always forgive, but never forget. Learn from your mistakes but never regret. Things do go wrong. Just remember. the ride goes on. I love you guys and we love you dad.

-Military Honors

-Closing Prayer


Arrangements by Newcomer Cremations, Funerals & Receptions (Winter Park Chapel).