Bobby Joe “Bob” Lyles, resident of Owasso, passed away Wednesday, December 18, 2013 at the age of 73 years. Bob was born April 11, 1940 in Newton County, Mississippi to Allen Bridges and Gladys (Thrash) Lyles. He was raised and received his education in Mississippi, graduating high school in Pascagoula, MS. Following high school, he continued his education, receiving a Bachelors and Masters in engineering from Mississippi State University and an MBA from the University ofAlabama. On November 4, 1962, he and Jane Isom were united in marriage at Corinth, Mississippi. Because of his employment, they lived in a variety of locations including Ohio, California and Utah. Owasso has been home since 2005. Bob retired as Vice President of Business Development for Space Operations from the Thiokol Corporation, and he continued to have a great passion and curiosity for space and rocketry throughout his life. A man of many talents, he enjoyed writing, golfing, mentoring, as well as working with his hands, especially woodworking. Bob also loved the outdoors doing gardening, landscaping and camping.
Those that survive and hold many cherished memories are his wife Jane of the home; children – Julie Lyles Carr and husband Michael of Austin, Texas, Rob Lyles and wife Jill of Bloomington, Indiana, David Lyles and wife Teresa of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; his mother-in-law Mildred W. Isom of Corinth, MS; a sister-in-law Zula Lyles of Hickory Creek, TX; one nephew and two nieces. Also surviving and close to his heart are his sixteen grandchildren.
Funeral services for Bob will be held at 11:00 AM – Saturday, December 21, 2013 in the chapel of Mowery Funeral Service, Owasso, OK. At his request, cremation will follow the services. Those that would like to honor Bob’s memory may do so by contributing to: Legacy of Hope, 8901 West Highway 71, Austin, TX 78735 or on line at: www.legacyofhopeaustin.org. Arrangements and services were entrusted to Mowery Funeral Service of Owasso. www.moweryfs.com
