David F. Lyons, 65, of Norton St., Derry, NH, died Tuesday, November 5, 2002 at his home. He was born in Malden, MA on August 19, 1937, a son of the late Ewart F. and Edith (Noyes) Lyons. He was a Mayflower descendant. He moved to Chester, NH at the age of 7 and attended school in Chester and graduated from Raymond High School in 1956. He joined the Air Force and was stationed in Germany. He traveled throughout Europe, returning to the US, where he was stationed at Norad Mountain, CO. After 10 years, he returned to Raymond, worked for RC Hazelton, then drove trucks for many years for JJ Cronin. He then became manager of the F & S Transit Cement Co. in Londonderry. David was a member of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Derry and served on many committees including being a lay leader. He also served for several years on the lay witness mission. He was a 50 year plus member of the Chester-Sandown Grange (known now as Kingston Grange). He was also an active leader of the Boy Scouts of America Troop #141 in Derry. He was a hunter safety instructor for the state of NH for 25 years and enjoyed hunting and fishing.
He was a member of St. Marks Masonic Lodge #44 F&AM of Derry. He joined Echo Lodge #61 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows attaining the office of Noble Grand in 1984. He joined Grand Lodge of NH in 1986, was Grand Master from 1989-1990, and was Grand Representative of Sovereign Grand Lodge from 1989-1992. David was Grand Instructor of the Grand Lodge of NH, Past President of Past Grand Officers of NH, a member of Northeast Odd Fellows Assoc., serving as chairman of the Directors of Camp NEOFA for many years. He was also a member of Past Grand Master/Past Grand Chaplains Association, an incorporator to IOOF Home, Presidential Oak. David was a member of Nashoonon Encampment #1 in Nashua, NH and was elevated to Grand Patriarch of the Grand Encampment of NH in 1996. He joined Canton A #9, Patriarchs Militant unit of the IOOF, attaining the office of Captain in 1989. He continued up the ladder and became Department Commander of the State of NH after which he was elected to executive officer at the international level and became General Commanding of the General Military Council of the World IOOF in 2000. He was awarded the Odd Fellow Meritorious Jewel in 1996. He was also awarded the Grand Decoration of Chivalry, which is the highest award attainable in Odd Fellowship. At the time of his death, he was Grand Representative to Sovereign Grand Lodge from the General Military Council. He was also co-chairman of the Derry Community Fund and for many years, enjoyed his participation in the Christmas Parade. He enjoyed traveling and attending meetings and functions throughout the United States and Canada. David was looked up to by many for his wealth of knowledge.
He leaves his wife of 36 years, Althea (Davis) Lyons of Derry, one son, Terrance “Terry” Lyons of Derry, one sister, Virginia Baillie of CA, one brother, John J. Lyons of CA, one aunt, Evelyn Noyes of Chester, several nieces and nephews.
Following cremation, memorial calling hours will be held on Thursday November 7th from 6 – 9pm in the Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 290 Mammoth Rd., Londonderry. Memorial services will be held Friday November 8th at 1:00pm in St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 63 East Broadway, Derry. Private burial will be at a later date in Forest Hill Cemetery in East Derry. Memorial contributions may be made to the Camp NEOFA, C/O Jane S. McCollister, 109 Canton Point Rd., Canton, ME 04221.