MASARDIS – Col. Sheldon R. Lyons, Maine Army National Guard, retired, 70, died Jan. 19, 2012, in Caribou. He was born March 15, 1941, in Masardis, son of the late Rodney Lyons and M. Stella (Blinn) Lyons MacDonald.
He was a graduate of Ashland High School, class of 1959, as well as obtaining degrees from the University of Maine at Fort Kent and the University of Maine at Presque Isle. Col. Lyons began his military career when he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1959. He was a graduate of Maine Military Academy, Augusta, as well as the United States Army Command and General Staff College in Kansas. He served with the Maine Army National Guard for more than 31 years, holding numerous command positions within the 152nd Field Artillery. After serving as captain in A Battery in Presque Isle for 12 years, he was transferred to Maine Military Academy, where he was assigned for seven years. During that time he was promoted to major, then lieutenant colonel. He served as Maine Military Academy’s supply officer, operations officer and finally as commandant of Maine’s premiere military establishment. He retired as the executive officer and commander of the 152nd Field Artillery. During his command he was responsible for the mobilization of two troop commands during operation Desert Storm/Desert Shield. Sheldon was employed as the manager of Amerigas, Presque Isle, for many years. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt and fish, was a registered Maine guide and was a member of the Maine Professional Guides Association for many years. He owned and operated Rivers Bend Sporting Camps, Masardis, and was also a member of Masardis American Legion.
He is survived by his special friend, Joan King of Caswell and her family; one son, Gary Lyons and his partner, Sue Veno, of Denmark, Maine; two daughters and sons-in-law, Shelley and Patrick Flanagan of Santa Clara, Calif., and Kelley and Aaron Brown of Gorham; one brother and sister-in-law, Jon and Sheila Lyons of Masardis; one sister and brother-in-law, Sheila and Leon Buckingham of Garfield; his grandchildren, Casey, Jessie and Nistelle Lyons, Tonie Marie and Nicholas Velazquez, and Jamie Poitraw; several nieces and nephews. Mr. Lyons was predeceased by a son, Travis.
A graveside military service will be held in the spring at Masardis Cemetery at a date and time to be announced by Mockler Funeral Home, Caribou.