Ewing Eugene Lyle, 70
Ewing Eugene Lyle, 70, died Friday, November 3, 2006 at Bob Wilson Memorial Hospital in Ulysses, Kansas. The son of Clifford Clarence and Margaret Mable (Williams) Lyle, he was born April 8, 1936 at Las Animas, Colorado.
He lived the early years of his life on his family farm north of Haswell, Colorado. His family moved to Ordway, Colorado and operated Lyle's Dairy. After selling the dairy his family moved to Bonners Ferry, Idaho. He graduated from high school at Bonners Ferry in 1954. After graduation he moved to Ulysses, Kansas. He was one of Ansel Cabs' first employees. He met and married Carol Louise Walker at Weskan, Kansas on June 16, 1957. They began their life together in Bonners Ferry, Idaho where he was a sawyer in a sawmill and owned a small "stump" ranch. In 1960 they moved back to Ulysses, Kansas, working during the day for Harold Walker and farming his land at night. He owned and operated the first commercial helicopter business, Skycopters, Inc., that is still in existence today. He met and married Pennie Fletcher at McCook, Nebraska July 26, 2003.
He was Grant County Outstanding Young Farmer in 1970. He served as a trustee of the First Baptist Church and later became a member of the United Methodist Church, Ulysses, Kansas. He was a member of the following: both the National and Kansas Aerial Applicators Associations, Coop Advisory Board, Fair Board, National Hay Association, Kansas Pork Producers, Helicopter Association International (HAI), project leader of the Bear Creek 4-H Club and was instrumental in starting the FFA in Grant County.
Survivors include his wife, Pennie Lyle of Ulysses, Kansas; two sons, Dan Lyle of Ulysses, Kansas and Kevin Lyle and wife Diane of Roy, Washington; three daughters, Penny Pucket and husband Joe of Ulysses, Kansas, Joan Garcia and companion Ralph Richter of Ulysses, Kansas, Lyn Day and husband Darren of Liberal, Kansas; one step-son, Monte Fletcher and wife Kendra of Cozad, Nebraska; one step-daughter, Wendy Fletcher of North Platte, Nebraska; one brother and one sister, Garvin Lyle and wife Judy, and Laurel Lyle all of Bonners Ferry, Idaho. Eight grandsons: Craig Pucket, Scott Pucket, Derek Lyle, Jordan Lyle, Ryan Dugan, Jacob Day, Blake Garcia and Burke Garcia; six granddaughters: Marcia (Pucket) Bricker, Connie (Pucket) ortega, Lindsay Day, Rebecca Day, Winterr Garcia and Kelley Garcia; one step-grandson: Dallas Fletcher; two step-granddaughters: Cara Dugan and Gwen Dugan; one great grandson, Ahearn Downing; and a host of other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Lowell Lyle of Redwood Valley, California.
A memorial has been established for the family. Memorials may be mailed to Grant County Funeral Home, 218 S. Main, Ulysses, Kansas 67880.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, November 7, 2006 at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church, Ulysses, Kansas, with Rev. Dennis Livingston presiding and burial in the Ulysses Cemetery, Ulysses, Kansas.ous and so loving to George and our family.