He was a WWII Lt. Col. Fighter Pilot and Fighter Pilot Instructor. He was 93  Years Old and before his last breath he held his fists with thumbs up "Flying". Had also been shot down. Senator Bardwell is saying his eulogy.

At the age of 22, he entered in the Army Air Corp Cadet Program at Texas A&M. He graduated with Honors and recieved his wings on Aug. 4th, 1944. 

He instructed students at West Point Air as a Flight Instructor. He instructed in Aerobatic Formation, Instrumentation Transitioning and Advanced Flying.

Lt. Col. Lyons handed many pilots their first wings.
The Pentagon called him themself and put him on Active Duty in 1950. 

When threats against Russia were made, J.C. trained the pilots.

Overall he was an Operations Staff Officer at Ellington Field in Houston from 1952-1964.

In 1956 he received his Command Pilot Wings.

Lt. Col. Lyon chose himself to Scramble and intercept incoming aircraft in order to keep the young pilots out of harms way. 

He Retired from the Air Force in 1980 due to health issues.

The first aircraft that he flew was a J2 Cub. The latest aircraft he flew was a F102 Delta Wing Supersonic Interceptor. 

He flew 25 different aircrafts. He flew down to their maximum potential and beyond. Including the F80, F86 and the F102.

His Nickname in the Air Force was "Pappy"