Donald Alton Lyman Sr.

Today is a very sad day for me and my family. My father past away after a long struggle with emphysema. Here are the words his bishop gave at the service:

Donald Alton Lyman Sr. was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on March 14, 1942. Clifford, Anna, and Don lived in Monticello until Don was the age of two. After Clifford died accidentally, Anna later remarried. Anna and her second husband, Glen W. Jones, raised and loved Don until there passing. When Don was a child the family moved around awhile as Glen was a civil engineer. While living in Salt Lake, Don's first job was a paperboy. He would later attend Grand Junction High School until 1959.When Don first met his sweetheart Linda Fowler he would walk from Monticello to La Sal to see her. While they were dating, he drove a white 1956 Ford with "Wild Child" in old english letters on the back.. He always loved working on cars and driving fast. In fact, he jacked the back end of his car up by putting 2x4 blocks under the back springs.

Don and Linda were married on May 24th, 1963 in La Sal Utah at the LDS church. Don worked at the Needles Overlook as a high scaler in the early 60's. He later hauled ore for Arthur (Hardwater) Knight. He then worked in Aspen as a bartender, busdriver, and cabbie while living in Carbondale Colorado. His parents Glen and Anna lived on the Crystal River and Don's favorite mountain was Mt. Sopris.

Don and Linda's first child, Don Jr. was born in Glenwood Springs CO on December 23, 1964. Then they had Veronica on November 11, 1966 in Telluride CO in the doctors office. Don was mining with his father-in-law Elmer Fowler at the time. Their third child Larry was born on August 25th, 1970 in Grand Jct.

Don, Linda, and family lived in Grand Jct. for about twelve years while the kids were in school. Don worked as a mechanic, truck driver and bartender. He enjoyed camping and fishing in western colorado and eastern Utah. He also enjoyed watching his children play sports.

In 1982 they moved back to Moab. Don was working for Hardwater again hauling ore. For the next ten years he spent his free time exploring and 4-wheeling the Canyonlands with Linda. One of his last jobs was his favorite. He was a river runner for a rafting company.

In 1991 Don met Joanne Johnson. They spent time out and about before Don got sick. They travelled together to Colorado and Nevada. For the last ten years Joanne has taking care of Don. Bringing him meals and conversation everyday. She was his constant companion and best friend.

His hobbies included collecting coins, comic books, marbles, and eagles. He loved the martial arts and watching action movies. One of his favorite actors was Charles Bronson. After he had stopped mechanic work, he passed his time by obtaining an electronic certificate from Mesa State College and an accounting certificate from an an online college. His favorite pasttime was building and repairing computers.

On September 27th Don Lyman passed away from a long term illness. We are grateful he no longer has to struggle to breath. He was welcomed home by his loved ones on the other side. We will miss his conversations at the stove. Until we meet again, Godspeed.