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LYLE -- Lt. Col. John Robert Lyle, Sr. USA (Ret.), died peacefully in his Albuquerque home on Tuesday, May 3, 2011 attended by his daughter Mary Elizabeth. John Robert was a devoted Catholic, and long time member of Our Lady of Annunciation Parish. He loved and served his family, church and his nation for ninety six years. John was born on a farm outside the Ouachita River, near Mena, Arkansas on January 19, 1915, one of ten children. He graduated from Mena High School and went on to graduate from the University of Arkansas with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry. John Robert made learning a life-long avocation. He attended the US ARMY School of Law, in San Antonio, Texas, and UNM Business College in Albuquerque, New Mexico. John Robert married the love of his life, Martha Thelma Pearson on February 15, 1942. They raised five children and were together for sixty four years. Colonel Lyle lied about his age to enter the U.S. Army Reserve on January 19, 1930 at the age of fifteen. He was commissioned as a second Lieutenant after his graduation from the University of Arkansas in 1938. He served at many military locations throughout the world and held a wide variety of jobs. John Robert was artillery and weapons training officer during most of WWII. Immediately following WWII he was Graves Registry Commander in Belgium and France. John Robert served as a staff officer under General Eisenhower. He was an infantry battalion commander in Korea from 1951 to 1953. Colonel Lyle served at Sandia Base in Albuquerque as a nuclear weapons officer in 1956 and was involved in developing security, testing, and maintenance and storage procedures for nuclear weapons until his retirement in 1961, after thirty years of service. His most enjoyable assignment in the service was in the late 1930's when he served as Company Commander for the Civilian Conservation Corps camp in Arkansas and Missouri. His rewarding association with the "CCC Boys" continued with the Albuquerque Alumni Chapter 141 until his recent death. After retirement from the U.S. Army, John Robert joined the staff of Sandia Laboratories'. In his twenty years at Sandia Laboratories he worked in the area of testing and developing storage procedures for nuclear weapons. Throughout his life he attended daily mass all over the world. This brought him tremendous comfort and strength. He was presented with the St. George Emblem by Archbishop James P. Davy of Santa Fe for outstanding service in the spiritual development of Catholic Boy Scouts. His deep personal faith sustained him throughout his life's journey. John Robert dispensed loans, advice, wisdom, support, a kind ear, car repairs and home propagated plants to family and friends throughout his life. His stories of his own experience and family history will live on with all who knew him. Few people could make a new friend or keep an old one as easily as he could. His roles as husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and uncle were most important to him. He will be greatly missed. John Robert is survived by his brothers, Harry Thomas "Tom" Lyle of Jemez Springs, New Mexico, Michael Charles (Mary Francis) Lyle of Nashville, Tennessee; sisters, Katherine Mudd of El Paso, Texas, Mary Berry Correnti of Mena, Arkansas, Pat Sherrill of Decherd, Texas, Joni (Bill) Cunningham of Tulsa, Oklahoma. He is also survived by his children, Michael William (Kim Cornell) Lyle of Las Vegas, Nevada, Martha "Marnie" (Bruce) Erhard of Las Cruses, New Mexico, Mary Elizabeth Urtrup of Albuquerque, New Mexico; grandchildren, Anna Maria Bonachea (Scott Berry), Kim Colleen (Jeff) Hine, Michael James (Christina) Hankins, Tara Lichelle (Lance) McHazlett, Matthew William (Steve Parker) Utrup, Jeffery Lyle Peterson; great-grandchildren, Trahern (Kelly) Timblin, Michael Hine, Callie Hine, Aiden Lucas Lyle Hankins, and Sophia Maria Ella Hankins. John Robert was predeceased by his wife Martha Thelma Pearson Lyle; son John Robert Lyle, Jr. M.D.; daughter, Veronica Lyle Peterson; parents, Harry Francis Lyle and Ella Julitta Wolff Lyle; siblings, Joseph Francis Lyle, James William Lyle, Elizabeth Ann Michie; sisters in-law, Janet Leah Lyle, Marietta Lyle and Frances Lyle and his brothers in-law, Randall Mudd, Hank Sherrill, Henry Berry, Joseph Corrinti and Charles Michie. Services are as followed: A Rosary will be held Friday, May 20, 2011 at 2:30 pm at Daniels Family Funeral Services, Wyoming Chapel, followed by the Funeral Mass at 5:30 pm at Our Lady of Annunciation Church, 2532 Vermont NE. Burial will be Saturday, May 21, 2011 at 11:00 am at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 7999 Wyoming Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico. In lieu of flowers the family requests that you make donations in John Robert Lyle's name to Our Lady of Annunciation Church or charity of your choice. To view funeral information or leave a condolence please visit www.danielsfuneral.com John's care has been entrusted to: Daniels Family Funeral Services 7601 Wyoming Blvd NE Albuquerque, NM 87109 (505) 821-0010
        Published on: Sun May 15, 2011