Celebrant Pam Meily Vetter


	Celebrating Life Everyone Has A Story...

Born in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, in 1933, Stewart Dewayne Lyon was the oldest child born to Wayne and Mildred Lyon. He was joined in the family by seven siblings: Larry, Ardith, Bob, Rick, Sandra, John, and Jim. Raised during the time of the Depression, the family had little money. His father tried his hand at farming, but soon found factory work in the auto industry. His mother was a homemaker who cared for their small home, full of children.

Fascinated by science from a very early age, Stu took a great interest in Amatuer Radio, eager to expand his horizons in the world. By the age of 16, he became acquainted with a local university professor who was impressed with Stu’s advanced interests and took him under his wing, mentoring a lifelong passion for science and technology.

At Beal City High School, Stu played football and tied the Michigan State record for the 100-yard dash. In 1951, he graduated and, after working for Dow Chemical Company, began his service to his country by volunteering for the draft. He served in the Army in Germany during and after the Korean Conflict. Upon returning home in 1954, he attended the Capital Radio Engineering Institute of Washington, D.C. and graduated with a degree in Electronics Technology. Stu landed a job at Sandia National Laboratories as an Electronics Technician and, during this time, participated in many nuclear tests, one of which was witnessed by Bobby Kennedy.

In 1964, Stu moved to California where he worked for Whittaker Corporation designing critical aerospace components, including some for the first manned mission to the moon. During this time, he started lunching with a co-worker named Pat and soon became more than just friends. When Pat found an opportunity to work in South America, she relocated first to Washington D.C. and then to Asuncion, Paraguay. Unwilling to let a paltry 5,713 miles stand in the way, he sent Pat an engagement ring through the mail. She accepted his proposal and returned home to marry Stu on June 11, 1966, in Santa Monica. The couple bought a home in Canoga Park where they welcomed two sons: Jeff and Craig. Later, the family expanded into a larger home in Winnetka.

In 1971, Stu became one of the founding engineers of Space Vector Corporation, where he worked for the next 30 years. Stu was both proud of and dedicated to his work in the aerospace industry, which he found fascinating. Over the span of his career he provided extensive technical expertise and guidance for strategic and tactical programs overseen by NASA, Air Force Geophysics Labs, Sandia National Laboratories and the United States Army. He never lost the thrill of being a part of the team in launching rockets and felt at home in the blockhouse. Stu’s other passion, automobiles, kept him busy and happy. His many cars were a constant source of pride for him, especially his beloved Mustangs. An avid NASCAR enthusiast, he enjoyed attending races and following his favorite drivers on television,

Stu will best be remembered for his brilliance, integrity, honesty, loyalty, and ethical approach to life. His family will miss his sense of pride, his presence, and his friendship.

Memorial donations are welcome in his name to Roze Room Hospice (www.rozeroomhospice.org), American Radio Relay League (www.arrl.org), Disabled American Vets (www.dav.org), Northridge Hospital (www.northridgehospital.org), or to an organization close to your heart. Anything that would help other people would make Stu proud.