Keith was a native and lifelong resident of Sulphur. He was an honor graduate of Sulphur High School, attended LSU/Baton Rouge where he was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. His first job was with W. T. Burton Drilling Co. as a Roustabout. He was a 1959 graduate of McNeese State University, earning a BS & BA degree in Science and English while serving as class President and a member of the boxing team.
In 1960 at the age of 28, Keith was appointed by then Louisiana Governor Earl K. Long to serve as Commissioner of Finance for the unexpired term for the City of Sulphur was re-elected in 1962 and in 1965 ran for 3rd term but was defeated which he often referred to the “worst and best day of his life.” He founded Lyons Insurance Agency, Inc. in July of 1960. In the 1960's, Keith Co- founded Lyons and Thomason Realty Co. which later became one of the initial Century 21 Franchises in the country, with long term partner Charlie Thomason. Keith and Charlie developed many subdivisions and homes in West Calcasieu. In addition, Keith and Charlie founded Sulphur Housing Corporation to develop a HUD Housing Project for the United States Government in 1970.This was privately managed until the corporation was sold back to HUD during President Jimmy Carter’s Administration. Keith along with several other prominent businessmen of West Calcasieu Co-founded First City Corporation in an attempt to charter a State Bank for Sulphur. He and Gary Havard Co- Founded Allied Plastics Corporation for Cities Service Oil Refinery and The Port of Lake Charles.
Keith was an Eagle Scout, served as President of Calcasieu Area Council of The Boy Scouts of America receiving the Silver Beaver Award while serving on the National Board of Scouting for two years where he and Jane attend several National meetings. Keith and Jane were King and Queen of the Mardis Gras Crew of Cosmos. In 1977, Keith and partner, Dick Sprigg, built and operated Lyons Funeral Home and purchased Hammer Funeral Home in 1978. In 1979, Keith and his father-in-law, D.L. Myrick, purchased and operated Louisiana Life Insurance Company and Budget Plan Financial Services, a premium finance co. Keith served on the Southwest Louisiana Association of Realtors Board and the Board of Commissioners of West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital with long time business partner and friend Tom Redd, a member and supporter of Ducks Unlimited, The Lake Charles Country Club, and The Pioneer Club. Keith served on the Southwest Louisiana Association of Realtors Board of Directors, Ducks Unlimited, The Lake Charles Country Club, and The Pioneer Club.
In his later years, Keith founded The Lyons Group, Inc., and Great Southern Properties. Keith was a member and donor to the West Calcasieu Association of Commerce receiving The Citizen of the Year Award in 2004, a member of the Louisiana Forestry Association and Henning Memorial United Methodist Church.
Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Jane Lyons of Sulphur; his children, David Lyons and wife, Karla, Sarah Jane Eakin and husband, Billy, Stephen Lyons and wife, Kathy, and Kyle Lyons, all of Sulphur; his brother, Sam Lyons and wife, Pat of Sulphur; eight grandchildren, Breanna Hatsfelt, Aryn Bellard, Megan Lyons, Amanda Pitre, Allyson Lyons, Emily Lyons, Andrew Eakin, and Lauren Eakin; and great-granddaughter, Harper Hatsfelt. He is preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Kyle Lyons, and Pearline Cutrer Lyons.
His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Monday, March 15, in Henning Memorial United Methodist Church Family Life Center with The Rev. Juliet Spencer officiating. Burial will be in Big Woods Cemetery in Edgerly under the direction of Hixson-Sulphur Memorial Funeral Home. Visitation will be held at the church from 5-8 p.m. Sunday, and from 10 a.m. until the time of service Monday all in the family life center. The family would like to thank Betty Jordan for her lifelong dedication to Jane and Keith, and to Angie Bell, and Cheryl Johnson for their compassion, kindness, and loving care of Keith. Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.hixsonfuneralhomes.com.
