Encyclopedia Dubuque
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
LYONS, Gerald J.
LYONS, Gerald "Gerry" J., (Dubuque, Iowa, Dec. 12, 1941--Dubuque, IA, Nov. 26, 2023) Beginning his young life at the Lyons family farm in Bernard, Gerry attended Sweeney School in Bernard, Maquoketa School for two years and was in the last graduating class from St. Columbkille’s High School in 1959. He went on to attend LORAS COLLEGE and graduated in 1963 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science.
Gerry attended the University of Iowa College of Law for six months before deciding to take a different path. He returned to Dubuque and received his teaching certificate from Loras College began teaching at St. Columbkille’s. He eventually moved to the DUBUQUE COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT and taught at WASHINGTON JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL. He retired after 33 years of teaching social studies and talented and gifted courses.
During his time at Washington, “Mr. Lyons” started the toy model club, established enduring professional relationships with his colleagues, and, most importantly, shared his passion for our common history and government with thousands of young people.
Gerry was not shy of hard work. After high school, Gerry started working at Roling Construction Company pouring concrete. He continued working there part-time for 20 years. In 1978, Gerry and his young family moved to their 80-acre farm, and he began the process of rebuilding the farmhouse.
Gerry collected and restored classic cars with an affinity for Fords and Mercurys. He was working on a 1941 Ford Pickup Truck when he passed. He was a perfectionist in the garage and the quality of his work was unsurpassed. A longtime member of the J.I. Case Collectors’ Association, Gerry collected Case tractors and memorabilia. In the summer of 2023, he got to see his 195g Case 300 in the hometown Bernard parade. Until the summer of 2022, he served as the groundskeeper for the Catholic Cemetery at the former Assumption Church at Sylvia Switch near Zwingle.
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Source:
Obituaries, Dubuque Today, Online: https://dubuquetoday.com/obituaries/