January 06, 1919 - September 30, 2009
Derald Ross Lyman Obituary
(Age 90)
Passed from his earthly life to be with our Lord on September 30th, 2009. He left behind his beloved wife of 61 years and best catch ever, Phillis D. Lyman, and was a wonderful father to four children, Gayle Colman Burrell, Teresa J. (David) Herman, Debra C. (Norman) Gillies and Douglas W. (Ellen) Lyman. He was a loving and fun grandfather to 11 grandchildren and 5 great grandsons, an uncle to many, friend to thousands, comforter, companion and volunteer for many causes. He lived an exceptional life and has now greeted our Savior face to face. Derald was born January 6, 1919, to Grant and Nellie Lyman in La Grande, Oregon, the eldest of four children who preceded him in death, Norma Johnston, Lynn Lyman, and Joann Swanson. For a short time the family lived in Murray, Idaho, then moved to Spokane where he graduated from North Central High School. He attended Spokane Junior College but as World War II began, voluntarily joined the 161st Infantry of the Washington National Guard and later transferred to the Army Air Corps where he served as a radio operator/tailgunner on a B-17. He saw duty in Hawaii and Europe flying 35 missions from England over Germany, France and Italy. After the war, he attended WSU on the GI Bill with studies in communications. In 1948 Derald married Phillis and started his family. He became a journeyman electrician and belonged to IBEW Local #73 where he served for many years as the union secretary. Not wanting to be away from his family in construction out of town, he elected to take a position with Spokane School District #81 as a maintenance electrician where he worked until his retirement. The primary focus of Derald's life was his wife and growing family whom he dearly loved. He was also a faithful Christian and attended the Whitworth Community Presbyterian Church where he served as an Elder, Deacon, Sunday School Teacher and handy man. He enjoyed studying the Bible and participated in Bible Study Fellowship. He volunteered his electrical expertise at Camp Spalding and on mission trips to Alaska and Kamiah, Idaho, and was involved in Scouting, Kiwanis, and Eagles. He had a green thumb and shared from his garden patch. He and Phillis loved to go dancing and could "cut a mean rug". He was an avid fisherman, tying his own flies, and enjoyed many hobbies including camping, hiking, bird watching, bird feeding, cross country skiing, bicycling, tossing horseshoes, playing pool and cards, and last but not least, telling jokes. He was a great storyteller and loved to socialize with people. He built the family home on Mt. View Avenue where he and Phillis lived for 54 years until moving to Fairwood Retirement Village in 2005. He made many new friends at Fairwood and served as the Association President for two years. He was deeply loved and will be greatly missed by his family and friends. We know he greeted Jesus with a big hug, a "thank you" and no doubt one of his most recent jokes. A Celebration of his life will be held at Whitworth Community Presbyterian Church on October 17th, 2009, at 2:00 pm. Memorial gifts may be made to the Whitworth Community Presbyterian Church.
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