Jack Sullivan Lyle completed his strong beautiful adventurous life on May 20, 2018 at the age of 66. Born in Clarksville on January 21, 1952, he led a life of honest compassion, generosity, hard work, good fun, and laughter.
Jack was an A student and an Eagle Scout. He began his work life in high school, working summers for his father’s construction company. After graduating from Tennessee Technological University, he earned his Professional Engineering license and later his certification as a Professional Safety Engineer. Over the years, he worked for the Tennessee Department of Transportation, Clarksville City Engineer’s Office, Barge Waggoner Sumner & Cannon Engineering Firm, and most recently for over 20 years at Harpeth Valley Utilities District. He designed roadways, water towers, and many other civil projects, and his efforts in safety management significantly reduced injury accidents and possibly saved lives.
Always athletic, Jack competed on swim team at Clarksville High School, then earned his private pilot’s license in college. He also joined the Tennessee Tech Skydive Club, and his team came in second in the Collegiate Nationals. He went on to become a skydive instructor and jump master, and to complete over 1,200 skydives, earning prestigious “Gold Wings” from the United States Parachute Association.
Also while in college, he began a lifelong love of kayaking, literally building his first kayak of molded fiberglass. For nearly 40 years, he volunteered with Tennessee Scenic Rivers Association, as an ACA-certified whitewater instructor, BCU-certified sea kayak instructor, trip leader, roll school organizer, conservation activist, long-term board member, and club president for two years. He also taught kayaking to Boy Scouts and their leaders, and to classes at Tennessee State University.
He was a skier (both water and snow), scuba diver, motorcyclist, bicyclist, hiker and nature photographer. He loved to travel, and he and his wife, Mary Buckner, kayaked and/or hiked throughout the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean, as well as Costa Rica, New Zealand, Japan, Norway, Austria, England and Scotland. He enjoyed carpentry and woodworking and built his own first house.
Jack was a member of many professional societies, including the American Society of Civil Engineers, and the American Society of Safety Engineers where he served as regional training committee chairman. He was also a long-term member and volunteer with the Bellevue Exchange Club. He was the kind of man who would always pitch in when asked, and he has given generously every year to many charities.
Jack is survived by his loving wife of 30 years, Mary Buckner of Nashville, and also his cousin John Putnam of Denver, CO, sister-in-law Bonnie Parker of Clarksville, brother-in-law, Larry Derrick of Florence, AL, as well as three nephews, Lance Derrick of Birmingham, AL, Wil Parker of Fairfax, VA and Nathan Parker of Nashville, and two nieces: Shauna Brink of Florence, AL and Misty Cook of Lexington, AL. Jack was also blessed with three great-nephews and three great-nieces.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Lance Derrick, Wil Parker, Nathan Parker, Shauna Brink and Misty Cook.
A celebration of Jack’s life will be held on Friday, June 1, 2018. Visitation begins at 4:00 pm, with service is at 6:30 pm at the Brentwood-Roesch-Patton Funeral Home. After the service, everyone is invited to Jack’s nearby home in Brentwood for food, beverages and joyful conversation.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association.
