Ted Wallace Lyon

Ted Wallace Lyon, age 79, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family after an eight-year courageous journey with Parkinson’s. He was born December 13, 1946 in Jackson, Mississippi to the late Evelyn Wallace Lyon and George Carlon Lyon. He graduated from Englewood High School in 1965, furthering his education and graduating from The University of Florida. Ted spent six years as a corpsman in the Special Forces of the National Guard. He began his career in education as Coach Lyon at Riverside Presbyterian Day School where he was so proud to create the Physical Education program. He also served as Assistant Director alongside Suzanne Tomlinson. With her encouragement, Ted completed his Masters in Education Management and Supervision from the University of North Florida. For thirty eight years, he devoted his career to the students, programming and athletics of The Bolles School. He coached football, soccer and track as well as taught different levels of Science. Ted served as the last Head of School for the Bartram School for Girls and was the first Middle School Principal of The Bolles School, Bartram Campus. He continued to be a vital faculty member at both the Bartram and San Jose campuses and he developed summer Advanced Placement teaching institutes for Bolles as well as Teachers Teaching with Technology. He will always be remembered fondly as Coach. After retiring in 2016, Ted cherished the last ten years with his family and friends, traveling to his favorite spot of Valle Crucis, NC and being the best Pops and Uncle Lollipop to his grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Ted is survived by his wife of 46 1/2 years Janie Gump Lyon, sons Lt. Col. Timothy Patrick Lyon, USAF, Retired and Tod Alan Lyon, daughter Sally Regitko Smith and son-in-law Steve Smith, granddaughter Emily Grace Lyon and her fiance Evan Danaher, grandson Parker David Lyon and their mother Lisa White Lyon, grandsons Jackson Scott Smith, and Grainger Breen Smith, brother Michael Rodney Lyon (Carol), sister Nancy Lyon Quast (Rick) and several generations of nieces, nephews, and first cousin Billy Graham (Kathy). He is predeceased by his parents, sisters Carolyn Lyon Miller (Gerry) and Debbie Lyon Tagert. We are eternally grateful for the loving, fun care from caregivers Suzette Alexander and her team Erin, Jordan, Kelly Ann, Mary, Peaches, Sandra and Theresa.

A celebration of Ted’s life will be held Monday, July 20, 2026 at 2:00pm at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 4129 Oxford Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32210 with a reception following in Leatherbury Hall. A private interment will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 4129 Oxford Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32210, The Bolles School, 7400 San Jose Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL 32217, and Riverside Presbyterian Day School, 830 Oak Street, Jacksonville, FL 32204.