Mark Lyons

Mark Lyons, 66, of Missoula, passed away peacefully at home Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born May 21, 1948, in Alpena, Michigan, to Fred and Rita Lyons. While growing up in Alpena, he discovered his true passion for fishing and the outdoors. He spent numerous days on the rivers and streams learning how to fly-fish with his dad. Shortly after college, his love of fishing lured him to Montana.

After arriving in Missoula, he met and fell in love with June Naughton. They were married Feb. 26, 1977, in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Residing in Missoula, Mark began a career in banking that spanned nearly 40 years. He was well respected in the banking community and a mentor to many. Among his peers, Mark was known as one of the last old-school bankers. With Mark, a handshake meant everything and was oftentimes all that was needed to close a deal. He finished out his banking career with Community Bank Missoula, where he served as the president for 17 years. He retired from there in April 2012.

In his spare time, Mark could be found fly-fishing on Rock Creek or floating the Clark Fork River. He was an avid hunter and enjoyed chasing deer, elk, upland birds and waterfowl. He was a life member of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and belonged to several other organizations, including Trout Unlimited, Ducks Unlimited and the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep. More than anything, Mark enjoyed spending time at the family cabin in Trout Creek as it was a perfect gathering place for friends and family.

Mark was preceded in death by his mother, Rita Lyons. Survivors include his wife, June Lyons; daughter, Michelle (Mick) Daly of North Bend, Washington; son, Kevin (Karla) Lyons, and daughter, Katie (Josh) Pierce, both of Missoula; his father, Fred Lyons of Alpena, Michigan; sisters, Julie Gerow, Jane Fochtman, Laura Koseba and Amy Shaffer, all of Michigan. Mark had three grandchildren whom he loved dearly, Brandon and Brooke Daly, and Sawyer Pierce.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to the many people involved in Mark's care. Dr. Thomas, the nurses and staff at the Montana Cancer Center at St. Patrick Hospital as well as Partners Hospice.

A memorial service will he held Friday, Sept. 26, at 2 p.m. at Garden City Funeral Home with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Mark's name to Team Up Montana (Providence Montana Health Foundation) online at mt.providence.org or by mail to Providence Montana Health Foundation, P.O. Box 4587, Missoula, MT 59806. Team Up Montana provides support to people in our community who are battling cancer.
Read Mark Lyons's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.