JOHN LYLES Obituary

JOHN W. LYLES John W. Lyles passed away peacefully at home on January 16, 2026. Born in Saint Louis, Missouri on June 14, 1945, the son of John M. and Delma "Jeanne" Dykstra Lyles. He grew up in Fresno, California. An Eagle Scout, he enjoyed camping in the Sierras, riding his horse, Trigger, through fruit orchards and later spelunking, exploring California's deepest caves. After graduating from Roosevelt High School in 1963, John studied Economics at UCSB graduating with honors in 1968. He then worked for Raytheon Space and Information Systems as a program controller developing long range airborne electronic countermeasures systems to protect American planes from SAM missiles in Vietnam. He met Allison "Sally" Tyrrell, his lifelong love, in a UCSB Spanish class. The two married in 1970 and honeymooned in Hawaii. John was recruited by Theo. H. Davies & Co., one of Hawaii's Big Five sugar plantation and trading firms. John learned the real estate business working out a development project with his mother-in-law, a local developer. When Davies needed management to complete their 22 story office building on Bishop and Merchant streets, John became the project manager. Then when Hongkong Land Group (HKL) acquired the project, he was part of the package. American Land Company, Ltd. And the Punahou Cliffs Condominium were joint ventures between John and HKL. John knew that Punahou Cliffs was destined for success when Sally promised to never ask for another home if he would buy them a 3 bedroom unit. She hasn't and they have lived there happily since being the first occupants. In addition to leasing, building out, and managing numerous downtown office buildings, John was responsible for renovation of the historic C. Brewer Building and the Provo Town Square in Utah. Lesser known, was the fact that John had a spiritual side and spent many years in study and prayer, not only studying the Bible, but the lives of saints and patriarchs. Another little known fact about John was his ability to instantly compose a Limerick. John and Sally shared an interest in exploring the world including numerous trips to Asia, Europe, Africa and Egypt. John's life ended before he was done because of pulmonary fibrosis, an autoimmune lung disease. He is survived by his wife Sally of 55 years, daughter, Malia Lang, son-in-law Benjamin Lang, grandson Oscar Lang and sister Barbara Lyles. Charitable giving was an important part of John's life and he believed that we reap as we have sown. If you would like to celebrate his life, please consider a contribution to your favorite charity. Funeral services March 21, 2026 @ 4 p.m., St. Clement's Episcopal church with light refreshments to follow next door at Punahou Cliffs Condominium.