John Patrick Lyons

On June 20, 2023, John Patrick Lyons passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones. 

A devoted family man, John was the loving father of Paul Lyons (and wife Geraldine Provost Lyons), cherished step-grandfather of Juliette Provost, and beloved grandfather of Liam and Sean Provost Lyons; treasured companion of Judy Dye, uncle of Veronica Dende (Chris and family) and Austin Lyons III (and family). He is also survived by his sister-in-laws Kay Lyons (Austin J. Lyons) and Jean Marie Rogers-Lyons (Donald Lyons). John was a friend to all that knew him through NSA, at Saint John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, and at The Residences at Vantage Point, Columbia, MD.

Born in 1947 in the Bronx, New York, John graduated from Fordham Prep High School in 1965, and attended Manhattan College. He served in the United States Air Force for 10 years. John earned two masters degrees: a MS in Electrical Engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology and an MBA from Loyola University.  He had an extensive career at the National Security Agency and retired in  2002, and became a member of the NSA’s Phoenix Society. John spent a few years as a defense contractor before retiring completely. He will be remembered as a dedicated youth soccer coach in Columbia, MD. Known for his jubilance, enthusiasm, and acts of service, John will forever be remembered by friends and family as a valued member of St. John’s the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church where he served on various committees and a lector and Eucharistic Minister. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Austin Lyons and Mary F. Lyons of NY; his brother Donald Lyons (2014) of NY; his niece Theresa M. Binder (2016) of NJ; his wife of 50+ years Susan Lyons (2019) of MD, his brother Austin J. Lyons (2021) of PA. 

The family will receive guests for a wake on Thursday, June 29, 2023, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Witzke Funeral Homes Inc., 5555 Twin Knolls Road, Columbia, MD 21045.

A funeral mass will take place on Friday, June 30, 2023, at 12:00 PM at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Wilde Lake, 10431 Twin Rivers RD., Columbia, MD 21044.

The service will be live streamed through the St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church - Watch: WL Room 1 - St. John the Evangelist (sjcolumbia.org)/.  

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made “In memory of John Patrick Lyons, Class of 1964" to Fordham Preparatory School in Bronx, NY by using this link: https://www.fordhamprep.org/giving/donate-now. 

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.witzkefuneralhomes.com for the Lyons family.