John Lyles

John Phillip (J.P.) Lyles was born June 14, 1954 (Flag Day) at Western Baptist Hospital in Paducah, KY to Agnes Woodward Lyles and John Wesley “J.W.” Lyles Jr. of Sharp, KY.

J.P. died July 2, 2014 after a long battle with Neuromyelitis and Pancreatic Cancer.

J.P. lived in Benton, KY, attending Benton schools through the 8th grade. He was active in Boy Scouts of America and was a member of Benton First United Methodist Church. He later moved to Henderson, KY and graduated with honors from Henderson County High School in 1972. He was Drum Major, active in Junior Achievement and involved in many school theatrical productions.

J.P. received a Board of Regents Scholarship to attend Murray State University, where he majored in Biology and Chemistry. He received a B.S. and teaching certificate in Biology, Chemistry and Physics in 1976. While there, he was in the marching band playing baritone where he met the love of his life, Joyce Feibelman from Ft. Pierce, FL. He was accepted to The Southern College of Optometry where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Sigma Honor Society, and Omega Delta fraternity. J.P. graduated in 1980 with Honors. While in college and optometry school he worked at Ky Dam Village golf course.

J.P. and Joyce were married August 2, 1980 at the home of her parents, Violet and Herb Feibelman on the St. Lucie River in Ft. Pierce, FL. They honeymooned at Club Med in Cancun, which began their love of travel. They were married 33 years.

Joyce and J.P. moved to Calvert City, KY where they opened their optometric practice in the Calvert City Clinic with Dr.’s Colburn, Traylor and Cocke. His patients became his friends. He always looked forward to seeing them and finding out what had been going on in their lives. In 1998 he was a founding member of Eyecare Association of Kentucky, a member of the American Optometric Society, American Optometric Association and the Kentucky Optometric Association. He was a 33 year member of the Calvert City Lions Club. J.P. was elected to the Marshall County Board of Education in 1990. He served for 14 years, was Chairman of the Board during the building of many schools, and guided the system through the implementation of KERA. He also served on the Marshall Co. Chamber of Commerce, Calvert City Jaycees, was a Kentucky Colonel and was a member of the Calvert City United Methodist Church.

On April 29, 1983 twins Jacqulyn and John Chase Lyles were born. They were the joy of his life. He was so proud of them and their accomplishments in life, especially when Jacqulyn graduated from Western Kentucky University and Chase from Murray State University. His daughter-in-law, Amanda Hawkins Lyles was also a proud Murray State graduate and earned her Masters Degree from the Vanderbilt Owen School of Business.

J.P.’s favorite saying was “off the insurance, off the payroll”. Through his children he found the love of soccer. J.P. was a soccer referee for 20 years with FIFA Youth Games, KHSAA High School and NCAA College matches. He also enjoyed running and working out in group fitness classes, especially Body Pump. A day at Kentucky and Barkley Lake in his Triton “Rejoyce” was one of his favorite things to do. J.P. and Joyce enjoyed many trips to Nashville, Pickwick and Cuba Landing on the boat with family and friends. They traveled to most of the Club Meds in the Western Hemisphere. They traveled the world with Jim and Jackie Conn, Kendra and Jimbo Capps and Mark and Theresa Owens.

Their piece of heaven was Northwest Point Resort in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos, BWI. J.P. loved to beachcomb and find “treasures of the sea” during his daily walks.

Surviving are his wife of 33 years, Joyce Feibelman Lyles of Grand Rivers, KY; two children, daughter Jacqulyn Lyles of Louisville, KY, and son John Chase Lyles and his wife, Amanda Hawkins Lyles of Nashville, TN; one sister and brother-in-law Mary Jane and James Edward “Tad” Inman of Calvert City; one nephew, James Todd Inman of Owensboro, KY; and one aunt, Nan Lyles of Iuka, KY.

He was preceded in death by his parents; Agnes Woodward Lyles and John Wesley “J.W.” Lyles, Jr.; and his grandparents, John Wesley “J Wes” Sr., Ruby Phillip Lyle, and Benjamin and Artie Jane Caton Woodward.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Calvert City United Methodist Church, 571 Oak Park Blvd, Calvert City, KY 42029.

Private services will be held at a later date, with his cremated remains to be spread at Northwest Point, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos, BWI.

Lindsey Funeral Home of Paducah is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be left at www.lindseyfuneral.com.

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