Dean Curtis Lyon, 63

Dean Curtis Lyon died in Spokane on Oct. 31, 2011.

Dean was born in Ames, Iowa, on Nov. 17, 1947, to Harriett and Ward Lyon.

He is survived by his son Jay C. Lyon, daughter-in-law April Lyon, grandsons, Gavin and Ethan Lyon; siblings, John, Richard and Jean; mother, Harriett Lyon; and ex-wife, Connie Anderson.

Dean graduated from Flathead High School in Kalispell and attended Oregon State University.

He retired as a CW3 officer in the U.S. Army in 1985. He was a highly decorated pilot and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his service as a Chinook pilot in the Vietnam War. He worked as a flight instructor pilot for many years, living overseas while employed by Lockheed.

He was an avid skier, and loved riding and restoring motorcycles.

He was preceded in death by his oldest son, Jamie Lyon, in December 2008.

He will be greatly missed by his friends and family.