James "Tiger" Lyons

Butte native James Edward Tiger Lyons, 83, of Great Falls, anArmy veteran and former salesman for Westinghouse Electric, died of natural causes Saturday, Nov. 12, at a local care facility. A vigil service is 7 this evening at St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church in Great Falls. Funeral Liturgy is noon Wednesday at St. Luke's, followed by a reception. Schnider Funeral Home is handling arrangements. James Edward Tiger Lyons of Great Falls ended a great life on Nov. 12, at Missouri River Nursing Care Facility. Jim was born Oct. 31, 1928, in Butte, the fourth of five boys, to Sophie Boyle Lyons and Ed Lyons. He graduated from Butte Central in 1946, and was proud of his Butte heritage. He married Ethel Foley of Walkerville in July of 1952, while on furlough from his two-year service in the Army. They had a loving marriage for more than 59 years at the time of his death. Jim was a salesman for Westinghouse Electric for 36 years moving from Butte to Great Falls in 1961 to cover sales in the northcentral part of Montana. Jim was an outstanding athlete throughout his life and he excelled especially in basketball, softball, handball and fishing. In his youth he played basketball every day at the Butte YMCA and after graduating he continued to playing in independent leagues throughout his 40's. He traveled throughout the state and would often play on multiple teams in one tournament. In one Butte Catholic Youth Organization city championship tournament, the newspaper recorded an ironman stunt for Jim: he scored 10 points playing with the Elks No. 3 team, then 24 points in a second game playing for the No. 4 squad, and broke the court's modern scoring record in netting 43 points in the quarterfinal game the same day with yet another team. When he was in his 40s, he also started to focus on handball and excelled in competitions throughout the state. He was the Montana Golden Masters Champion (for age 55 and over) for numerous years. He enjoyed the game so much that Tom and Cherie had to change their picked wedding date as it conflicted with a handball tournament. Jim enjoyed hosting parties for his friends throughout his life. We are forever grateful for the joy Jim brought into all of our lives. Jim is survived by his wife Ethel; his sons, Ed (Jill) Lyons of Longmont, Colo., and Tom (Cherie) Lyons and Jack Lyons, both of Great Falls; and his brother, Pat Lyons of Butte. The joys of his life were his grandchildren, Justin (Jenica), Michael, Matthew and Healy Lyons; and great-grandson Tristyn Lyons. The highlight for the grandkids were Tuesdays at Gramma and Grampa's house that has gone on for 26 years. He was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, John, Charlie and Ed Boyle. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Special Olympics Montana, 710 1st Ave N., Great Falls MT 59401; or Benefis Healthcare Heart and Vascular Institute, P.O. Box 7008, Great Falls MT 59406.