×
×
homepage logo
SUBSCRIBE

Michael Patrick Lyon

Jun 30, 2022

Michael Patrick Lyon was born October 18, 1952 near Ithaca, New York, to Cherie Moss Lyon and David Reed Lyon. Michael became the 3rd son in the family of five children. He passed away peacefully June 29 surrounded by family.

Michael’s father was in the Army, so the family moved frequently. In 1968, the family moved to Provo where Michael graduated from Provo High School in 1970. He served in the Japan West Mission 1971-1973, and later graduated from BYU-Provo in Fine Arts and Asian Studies. Two influential mentors were Spencer Palmer and Hugh Nibley.

Michael loved learning and was a passionate and voracious reader. He loved many subjects including art, history, and especially religion. He was a gifted artist and created props and visuals for the Motion Picture studio, the BYU MOA and the Denver Museum. His work can be seen in multiple church videos on the Old Testament.

Beginning in 1990, Michael devoted his artistic talent to enhancing books published by the Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies (FARMS). He was artistic director for the latter half of the volumes in the Collected Works of Hugh Nibley. He read the various chapters, made a list of possible illustrations, and then began doing meticulous research to find out everything he could about each image. Michael then made detailed drawings to accompany the text, occasionally building models to provide the proper perspective. Finally, he crafted detailed captions for each illustration (many of which were truncated by the publisher’s editors)

Michael served as a temple ordinance worker in the Denver and Provo Temples. He enjoyed helping to those going to the temple for the first time understand their Endowment. His years of research about sacred symbols, the creation story and rituals surrounding death, led to his presentation, “Compass and Square: Mormons, Masons and the Ancient Chinese.” He saw the gospel encompassing all truth and shared his testimony of Christ being the Sacred Center.

Michael loved people. He was adored by children and adults alike and was an enthusiastic supporter of the artistic efforts of others. When traveling the world, he relished learning from craftsmen and laborers. Within his own family, he took great pleasure in entertaining children with magic shows, origami, puppets and stories from around the world. His art will continue to be enjoyed, but his legacy of love will always be treasured by those who had the great privilege to know him.

Please share personal stories on our Facebook page: Our Friend, Michael Lyon

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Interpreter Foundation

https://interpreterfoundation.org/foundation/donate/ please note: in memory of Michael Lyon

Services will be Tues., July 5th, at the Oak Hills Stake Center 925. E North Temple Dr. Provo, Ut. Viewing 9:30-10:45, Funeral at 11:00am

Please send condolences at: www.premierfuneral.com