James Bruce Lyon, 80, went to be with the Lord on August 11, 2022. He died at home from coronary heart disease. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, August 23, at 11 a.m. at St. Francis Episcopal Church.

Bruce was born in Greenwich, CT, the 2nd of 4 children. His parents, June Orwig Lyon and James R. Lyon, soon moved their family to the Midwest, living in Wisconsin and then Illinois. Bruce graduated from Alton High School in Alton, Illinois, where he was an honor student and played football. He attended both Northwestern and the University of Illinois, before attending dental school at Washington University in St. Louis.

After his educational training, Bruce began active duty in the US Army, serving at Fort Dix, NJ, Fort Carson, CO, Vietnam, and Fitzsimons Army Hospital, CO. During his basic training, he met his future wife, Ellen, who had also joined the Army after college. When it came time to settle down in one place, the Lyons chose Greensboro as the place they would like to raise a family. He practiced general dentistry there from 1970-2003.

Aside from dentistry, Bruce had a passion for community service. He was instrumental, along with Bill Ronemus, in seeing that soccer fields would be built at Bryan Park. He was a member of St. Francis Episcopal Church, having served in numerous capacities, including senior and junior warden. Another passion of his was to create a Greensboro Chapter for Golfers Against Cancer, a fundraising group specifically aimed at raising money for proof-of-concept cancer research. In 2013, he received the Citizenship Award from the NC Dental Society.

Bruce's love of golf inspired him to make a yearly golfing trip to Scotland, where he was a member of the Machrihanish Golf Club in Campbeltown, Scotland. He so loved those trips, and golf. Bruce's wintertime hobby was making model boats.

Surviving are his wife of 54 years, Ellen; and two children, Jimbob (Hazel) Lyon of Silver Spring, MD, and Linda Davis of Colfax; grandchildren, Teighlor Charrier, Ishshah Bell, Priscilla Corroyer, Osiris Rebollo, Moises Rebollo, Nefi Rebollo; and great-grandchildren, Bella, Emma, Jethro, Hazel, Jaime, and Lilyanne. The Lyon family is very appreciative of the exceptional care and support provided by caregiver, Ishmael Sesay, and by Auroracare Hospice of Greensboro.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Golfers Against Cancer, 1700 Lake Greenwood Trail, Kingwood, TX 77339 or to Authoracare Collective, 2500 Summit Ave., Greensboro, NC 27405.

Published by Greensboro News & Record from Aug. 17 to Aug. 21, 2022.