06/21/2026
John Lyon was raised in Garrow Hill, a suburb in Glasgow, Scotland. I always loved my dad even when there was a period that I didn’t like him. I think I carry a lot of him in me.
He was an incredibly bright human being with a passion for learning. A prolific reader, I always remember him coming home from the library on the regular with armloads of books. A lifelong carpenter, he worked hard in supporting a family of 5 kids.
We had a time in our lives when we were close but his addiction drove a huge wedge between us in my teenage years. Addictions have cost me the lives of a brother and a couple years ago my best friend. For a time it cost me my dad.
The latter part of his life he gave up alcohol completely and remained sober and we found our way back into each other’s lives. I respected him for what he overcame.
Sometimes it can be hard to see past someone’s addictions and not to define them by that. Always try to remember the person inside and the fight that they go through. Be grateful it’s not you.
I am fortunate that of the things I inherited from my dad substance addiction isn’t one of them.
My dad has been gone several years now.
The memories soften with age but not the love for the man I am from.
Happy Father’s Day Jack!
