W. Jefferson Lyon

W. Jefferson Lyon entered eternal life in the early morning of June 11, 2012. He was born July 17, 1915 in Middletown, NY. The family moved to Binghamton, NY three years later. He was educated in the Binghamton school system and joined the staff of the Binghamton “Morning Sun” newspaper in 1933 where he filled a variety of reporting and editorship posts until 1942. He then became publicity director for the Curtiss-Wright Airplane Division in Buffalo. In 1945 he moved to New Jersey, joining an advertising agency which handled major aviation accounts. Ten years later, after branching out to form his own public relations firm, he was named vice president in charge of communications for Blue Cross of New Jersey, the nation’s pioneer hospital prepayment plan. That post, which he held until retirement in 1980, involved all of the plan’s governmental and press relations. In subsequent years, Lyon did consulting work in the health and aviation fields and ultimately returned to the newspaper field as a feature writer and columnist. His first wife, the former Marian Blass by whom he had three sons died in 1985. In 1987 he married the Rev. Beverly Karr, who had been pastor for members of the Blass family in Galeton, PA. She served the Beemerville Presbyterian Church in New Jersey before accepting the call to serve the First Presbyterian Church in Watkins Glen where they have lived since 1997. Lyon is survived by his wife Beverly, his three sons: Thomas (Janis) of Carlsbad, CA, John (Barbara) of San Diego, CA and Rexford (Lois) of Bernardsville, NJ; one sister Doris Frank of Berlin, NJ. He has three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his sister Letitia Sage and grandson Max Lyon. Notable examples of Lyon’s civic involvements: President of the NJ Division of American Cancer Society, member of Rotary International and Paul Harris Fellow; Chairman of the Board of NJ Heart Association; Board member and secretary of N.J. Auto Club (AAA); Board member of Center of Hope Hospice; Sussex County Jury Commissioner; Director, Newton Trust Company; Director, Sussex County United Way; Board member of FOWL (Friends of Watkins Glen Library). He was an elder and trustee in the Branchville Presbyterian Church in NJ, faithful member of the First Presbyterian Church, Watkins Glen NY where he sang in the choir. His funeral service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church, 520 N. Decatur Street, Watkins Glen on Thursday, June 14, 2012 at 11:00am. Burial will be at Yoachum Hill Cemetery, Carter Camp, PA. In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be given to Cobblestone Springs Center for Renewal, 4306 Lakemont-Himrod Rd. Dundee, NY 14837. You may view his memorial or sign a guestbook online at www.Royce-Chedzoy.com. Arrangements by Royce-Chedzoy Funeral Home, Watkins Glen.