James C. Lyon, 87, of Deerfield, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on December  23, 2024. He was born on May 14, 1937, in Eldorado, IL, son of the late James and Helen  (Podrasky) Lyon. Jim was the loving brother to Janet Jones (Bill), the late Carole McKinney ( Larry) and the late Dianne Grubbs (Harvey). He was the devoted husband to Sandra, with whom  he shared 64 years of marriage and beloved brother-in-law to Karen Lasseter (John Wyrick).  Sandy and Jim had two daughters: Lori Flannery (Michael) and Lisa Weisbrod (Scott). Papa was  the proud grandpa to Robert (Brittany), John (Jane), William and Elizabeth and the beloved  great-grandfather to Lucas and Faye. He loved being with his family and always had a smile on  his face and a twinkle in his eye whenever he saw his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  

Jim received his B.S. from Southern Illinois University and his Masters in Education from  Northern Illinois University. He started his career as a teacher of English at Maine Township High  School in Park Ridge, IL, where he also served as a coach for the Boy’s Track and Field and Cross Country teams. He was passionate about both track and coaching young men and helped his  relay team set a national record. He looked back on that part of his life fondly and kept in touch  with several members of that team for decades thereafter. Jim left teaching to accept an  executive role with the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), a not-for-profit 

organization based in Champaign, IL. Jim had an engaging personality and a sharp mind. While  negotiating the sale of NCTE’s building to another not-for-profit, the American Oil Chemists  Society (AOCS), he so impressed the executives from AOCS that they offered him a job. He  accepted the offer and went on to spend 31 years with the organization as its Executive Director.  As part of his duties, Jim was responsible for organizing AOCS events throughout the world. He  loved to travel and built friendships with people in many different countries.  

Jim and Sandy raised their two girls in Champaign and Jim became a huge fan of the University  of Illinois Fighting Illini. It didn’t matter what sport was being played; Jim loved them all. He  served as a volunteer at U of I track meets, attended many men’s and women’s sporting events  and looked forward to every football game. He and Sandy traveled with friends to many away  games and hosted a tailgate at every home game welcoming a large group of friends and  extended family. Jim was also involved with the local community where he served as Trustee for  the Champaign County History Museum and was an active member of the Rotary Club. He was  an avid golfer and a member of Champaign Country Club and Lincolnshire Fields Country Club,  whose course he lived on for many years. When he was not perfecting his game, he could be  found fishing golf balls out of a pond. Although he recovered thousands of golf balls over his  lifetime, he never deemed any of them worthy of his game. He also loved music, particularly songs by Elton John and Neil Diamond. It didn’t take much to encourage him into singing a  chorus or two of “Sweet Caroline “ or “Cracklin’ Rosie”. 

Jim’s warm smile, positive attitude and friendly demeanor made a great impression on all he  met. Many who were not directly related to him still referred to him as “Papa Jim”. He will be  missed by all whose lives he touched. Papa Jim, “ We’re going to ride ‘Til there ain’t no more to  go”. May your spirit live forever.  

A Celebration of Life will be held in Champaign, IL in early Spring. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: 

Cunningham Children’s Home cunningham.org 

Alzheimer’s Association act.alz.org