Jack Austin Lyons, MMCS, U.S. Navy (Ret) died July 21, 2006 at Island Hospital, Anacortes, following a lengthy illness. He was born Feb. 3, 1927 in Detroit, Mich., to John E. and Hazel L. (Dressey) Lyons.

Jack was raised in Detroit, where he attended Eastside High School. Jack left school and enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was a Machinists Mate. During the War, he served aboard the USS Cortland, Midway and Saipan. He left the Navy at the end of the war and moved to Santa Cruz, where he worked as a lumberjack.

On July 6, 1950, he returned to active duty. Jack was married to Rose M. Fernandes in Reno, Nevada on Feb. 20, 1954. During his military service, he served aboard many ships in the Pacific Fleet, including the John W. Thomason, the Frank Knox, and the Berkeley and duty stations in California and Japan. He retired on March 30, 1976 as an MMCS (E-8) with over 30 years of active duty.

Following his naval career, Jack began a second career with QED Systems in San Diego. He spent 15 years as a civilian contractor evaluating work on military vessels. Following his retirement from QED, he worked as a gunsmith for the Poway Gun Works until 1997. Jack and Rose were residents of San Diego from 1964 until 1999, when they moved to Oak Harbor.

Jack was a member of the North Whidbey Sportsman Association, the Central Whidbey Sportsman Association, the American Legion, George Morris Post 129 and the Fleet Reserve Association Branch 97, both of Oak Harbor, a Life Member of the National Rifle Association and the Disabled American Veterans. Jack was a great husband, father, brother and friend. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, gunsmith and loved German shepherds.

Jack Lyons is survived by his wife Rose at the family home, by two sons, Jeffrey Lyons and wife Elena of Lake Elsinore, Calif.; Jack Alan Lyons and nephew David Ribeiro both of Oak Harbor; and by one brother, Jerry Dunlap Lyons of Santa Cruz. Six grandchildren and four great grandchildren also survive.

Jack requested no formal funeral services be conducted. Cremation was held with private family inurnment to follow at a later date. Arrangements were entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.