Ralph J. Lyons, 77, of Newcastle, Wyo., died Dec. 22, 2009, at Weston County Health Services in Newcastle.

Funeral services were held Dec. 29 at Corpus Christi Catholic Church with Rev. Phil Wagner and Deacon Ken Pitlick officiating. Burial was at the Greenwood Cemetery in Newcastle.

Arrangements were with the Worden Funeral Home in Newcastle.

Ralph was born Oct. 24, 1932, in Staples, to Arthur Faye and Ethel L. (Bastin) Lyons. He was raised in Staples and graduated from Staples High School in 1950. Ralph enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1951 and served with the active military service until his discharge in 1964.

On April 25, 1953, Ralph married Elaine M. Hanson. After his active military service, he entered the insurance business as a general agent and broker in Glasgow, Mont. and in Cheyenne, Wyo. He moved to Newcastle, in November of 1975 and was employed by the First State Bank of Newcastle as Vice President of Marketing and Insurance until his retirement on May 31, 2005. During his time in Newcastle, Ralph enlisted in the Wyoming Army National Guard to complete his military service and retired from the military in 1985.

Ralph loved to golf and enjoyed hunting with his friends. He was past president of Newcastle Chamber of Commerce, Newcastle Country Club, a member of the Newcastle Lions Club, a past Trustee of Corpus Christi Catholic Church and a member of the Newcastle Airport Board. With his respect for the members of the military services he became a member of the Employer Support Group for the Guard and Reserve Forces and served that state side committee for 20 years, service as State Chairman from October, 1995 until September, 2000.

Ralph is survived by his wife; one daughter, Susan M. Turley; one son, Steven R. Lyons; six grandchildren and one sister, Betty J. Haskin of Staples.

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