Tom Lysons

Tom Lysons of Springfield, Missouri, passed away suddenly on Friday, August 13, 2021, at the age of 89.

Tom was born in Kelso, Washington, on April 21, 1932, to Earle Lysons and Mildred Crane Lysons. With his older sister Pat, he enjoyed the many adventures of growing up in small-town Washington, including fishing, exploring, climbing nearby Mount Saint Helens, and raising his pet alligator, MacArthur. In high school, he was valedictorian and captain of the football team.

But his real adventures began after college and his military service. As a young engineer, Tom worked in Peru and Argentina. During his first stint in Peru, he wrote to his mother that he had met the girl he was going to marry, a Harvard-trained, aristocratic beauty named Irma Moscoso. After returning to Peru from Argentina, he did just that, sparking a love affair that lasted over 60 years. Upon returning to the States with his wife and new son Eddie, he worked as a construction engineer, primarily with Bechtel Corp., which took him and his family all over the country. Tragically, Eddie died at the age of three, leaving behind his grieving parents and younger brother and sister. Eddie is buried at Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno, California, where Tom will be buried at his son's side.

Tom is survived by his wife Irma, children Marybeth Lysons Filice and Martin Earl Lysons, and six loving grandchildren. They will all miss him very much.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 3:00 pm on Monday, August 30th, 2021, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church: 2200 W. Republic Road Springfield, MO 65807, with Father Tom Kiefer celebrating over the services.

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