Weldon D. Lyda

Weldon Dee Lyda, age 73 of Newaygo passed away March 22, 2008 at Transitional Health Services in Fremont. Weldon was born on July 16, 1934 to Buster B. and Delcie (Wiles) Lyda and grew up in Polk County, Arkansas. He graduated from the Acorn High School Class of 1952 and joined the United States Army where he served from 1958 to 1961. Weldon became a member of the United Association Pipeliners Union, Local 798 in 1965 and loved and followed this trade until his retirement in 1994. Weldon was a member of the Newaygo Pilgrim Lodge #131, Free and Accepted Masons of Michigan. Weldon was a member of the Appaloosa Horse Club. He bred and raised Appaloosa show horses for 38 years and was the breeder of 7 World Champions. He was an avid deer hunter, loved his house and barn cats and basketball. On April 11, 1981, Weldon was married to the former Wanda Jeanne Borin in Mena, Arkansas and they blended their, "his" and "her" families into "ours".

He is survived by his wife, Wanda of Newaygo; his sons, Warren A. (Lori ) Lyda of Bixby, Oklahoma; Douglas W. Lyda of Delton; Keith Philpot of Mena, Arkansas; Kevin Mos of Tampa, Florida; one daughter, Deborah (Michael) Johnson of Strafford, Missouri; two granddaughters, Tashina (Todd) Lyda Kerr of Newaygo; and Shalea Lyda (Derek) Gerencer of Grand Haven; five grandsons, including his very special grandson, Quinton Lyda of Delton; Paul Johnson serving with the United States Army in Iraq; Mark Johnson of Bethany, Oklahoma; Lake Philpot and Riley Philpot of Mena, Arkansas; two great grandchildren, Beverly and Blake Kerr, Newaygo; his mother, Delcie Lyda, Mena, Arkansas; sisters, Betty Nichols, Chattanooga, Tennessee; Helen Powell, Ft. Worth, Texas; brothers, Gene (Barbara) Lyda of Claremore, Oklahoma; Earl (Gloria) Lyda of Mena, Arkansas; Lyndell (Bonnie) Lyda of Mena, Arkansas; also aunts, uncles, cousins & friends.

Visitation will be on Friday from 2-4 & 6-8 at Beasley-Wood Funeral Home in Mena, Arkansas with funeral services on Saturday, March 29, 2008 at 10:30 at the funeral home with Brother Charley D. Wiles presiding and Masonic graveside services and interment at the at the Concord Cemetery in Ink, Arkansas. Serving as pallbearers will be Dale Wright, Darrell Wright, Weldon Curtis, Leon Myers, & Darrell Wiles all of Mena, Arkansas; Larry Robson, Hot Springs, Arkansas; honorary pallbearers are Larry Range, Sam Zimmerman III & Michael Wallace of Newaygo, Michigan; Matt Lantz, Fremont, Michigan; Dirk Hitchcock, Gowen, Michigan & Michael Hague, Gaylord, Michigan; Harry Norman of Prescott Valley, Arizona.

Friends may consider Heartland Hospice in Newaygo County or Transitional Health Services Patient Advocate Fund for memorial contributions in memory of Weldon. Friends may also send a condolence or share a memory online with the Lyda family at www.crandellfh.com. Arrangements are by Crandell Funeral Home in Fremont Chapel.

I've lost a second father, a friend and fellow admirer of Appaloosa horses.
He will be missed...

Deb Barrett, Scotts, Michigan

Posted 3/23/2008

Wanda,

We were so sorry to hear of Weldon's passing. We have only known Weldon for a couple years but even in that short period of time we learned how much he loved you, his life, the horses and cats.

He was someone that could appear to have a gruff exterior but truely he had a kind, loving and tender heart. He was intelligent, he had character and he stood by what he believed.

Whenever we think of Weldon we have to smile. He didn't have to say alot to get his point across. When we came up to ride Twister, he would watch us for only a short time and then shake his head like he had enough and say he was going to the house. It really made us laugh. Once, he told us that we would probably never make that horse do anything but at least it would have a good home. Not sure that was a compliment but we took it as one anyway!

Wanda, our prayers are with you for strength, peace and comfort during this difficult time. We feel truely blessed to have known Weldon. We are so thankful for the time and knowledge he shared with us. We will think of Weldon every time we put baby oil on Twister's tail and hear his reassuring voice calling her "sis".

Our deepest sympathy to you and your family.

Deb and Brigitte

Posted 3/23/2008