Funeral service for Mr. Eugene A. “Gene” Lyles, 66, of Nacogdoches, Texas will be held on Monday, June 27, 2011 at 2:00 pm at Laird Funeral Home with Pastor Homer Murray officiating. Interment will be at Old North Church Cemetery.
Mr. Lyles was born on November 19, 1944, in Demopolis, Alabama to the late Tony Lyles and Myrtie Jowers Lyles. He passed away on Saturday, June 25, 2011, in Nacogdoches.
Gene attended Demopolis High School and also several Paint and Body Repair Schools. He moved to Nacogdoches in 1963. He married the love of his life, Mary Rankin on October 14, 1968 and they went on to own and operate USA Auto Center since 1992 of which is still in business today.
Gene was an avid bass fisherman. Having shared that passion with his family and friends, teaching his children at a young age about the sport. Gene also loved NASCAR, with Jeff Gordan and Rick Hendricks being his favorite racers. He also loved to take his family on camping trips. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He and Mary loved to spend time together, a favorite past time for them was to travel to Lafayette, Lousianna to eat at Lagneaux’s Seafood. Gene was a wonderful, kind man that was family oriented and he will be missed tremendously by all who knew him.
Gene is also survived by his wife, Mary Rankin Lyles of Nacogdoches; a son, Ronnie Lyles, of Nacogdoches; three daughters, Chris Brewer and husband, Kirk of Wells, Texas, Melanie Lyles of Nacogdoches; and Toni Lyles, of Garrison; ten grandchildren, Ashley, Hailey, Dusti, Miranda, Austin, Brandon, Cade, Hunter, Dominic and Ragan; one great-grandchild, Kinley; sister, Carolyn Cummings of Zavalla, Texas; two aunts, Chloe Jimmerson and husband, Johnny of Gilbertown, Alabama and Marie Tyson of Butler, Alabama; and his canine companion, Crystal.
Pallbearers will be Darnell Murray, Danny Murray, Pedro Gonzalez, Shane Bridwell, Kelly Delafield and Wayne Ebarb.
Honorary pallbearers will be Gene’s grandchildren.
Visitation with the family will be held on Sunday, June 26, 2011 from 5-7 pm at Laird Funeral Home.