Lyle Edward Dayberry
June 2, 1947 - March 17, 2024
Obituary
Lyle Edward Dayberry was born on June 2, 1947 to Charles Elzie Dayberry and Ella Mae Cornelius in Seattle, WA. Four years later, his mother remarried Wilford Francis Meehan who raised Lyle and his five siblings: Shirley Jones, Michael Dayberry, John Dayberry, Margaret (Patty) Hoskins, and Daniel Meehan . Lyle attended Emerson Elementary, Coleman Elementary, and Shaple Junior High. In 1962, his parents bought their first home in South Seattle where Lyle attended Franklin High School, graduating in 1965. A year later, with the Vietnam War in full swing, Lyle made a decision that would shape the trajectory of the rest of his life by enlisting in the U.S. Army.
Lyle Dayberry’s career in the U.S. Army spanned more than two decades and four continents. After enlisting in September 1966, he received three months of basic training and five months of advanced individual training. Lyle was then deployed to Vietnam where he served two tours of combat duty between May 1967 and August 1969, for which he received a bronze star with the “V” designation – the fourth highest military decoration for valor. Over the next twenty years, Lyle served his country with pride in various locations including Alaska, Hawaii, Colorado, Georgia, Washington state, and Germany. He retired in 1988, receiving an honorable discharge as a staff sergeant.
In 1972 Lyle met and married his “gift from God,” Christine Hauser in Seattle, Washington. On March 16, 1982, they were sealed for time and eternity in the Washington D.C. temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. As an army spouse, Christine was by Lyle’s side through all his deployments across the country and in Europe, as they added memories – and children along the way. Lyle later recalled that “some of the most beautiful moments of my life were shared with my wife.” After retiring from the army, Lyle moved his family to Fife, Washington where he began a career in the United States Postal Service working as a technician maintaining mail processing equipment. In 2007 they moved to a home in Federal Way, Washington where they lived until Lyle retired in 2014. Meanwhile,Christine worked hard to provide a loving, nurturing home for their growing family. They would go on to have seven children, twenty-five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
Though Lyle had to work long hours to provide for his family, he always made time to be there for his children, whether it was attending their games or concerts, going on campouts, helping them work on their vehicles, or just spending time together. Lyle later recalled with fondness “the beautiful noise” of his children playing, laughing and interacting. When he found time, Lyle enjoyed several hobbies, including scouting, martial arts, movies, leatherwork, refereeing high school football, target shooting, and doing family history. Lyle and Christine had 42 eventful years together until 2014 when Christine was tragically killed. Though Lyle missed his “angel wife” everyday for the rest of his life, he looked forward to the day that they would be reunited again. Despite receiving multiple certifications, rankings, and awards over his career, he believed that his greatest accomplishment was his family.
Although Lyle never had the opportunity to complete a formal degree, he took every opportunity he could to improve his mind. Not only was he a voracious reader, but he became certified in several fields, including helicopters, radar, computers, auto body repair, and firearms. Lyle hoped to leave a legacy of learning for his family and believed that education was the key to unlocking one’s God-given talents. “When I stand before God at the end of my life,” he said, “I would hope that I would not have a single bit of a talent left, and I could say: ‘I used everything you gave me.’”
In recent years, Lyle suffered a series of health complications that resulted in reduced mobility and needing frequent medical attention. In 2016 he moved into the Mervyn Sharp Bennion, Central Utah Veterans Home in Payson, Utah where he was able to receive the care he needed from their dedicated staff and make new friends with other veterans. Though this transition was difficult at first, Lyle was determined to continue living his best life even as his health declined. In his final years, Lyle spent as much time as he could with his family. Whether it was going to movies, restaurants, the aquarium, planetarium, museums, the shooting range, or talking in his room, it didn’t matter – so long as his kids and grandkids were around.
Lyle led a life of service – always ready and willing to perform his civic duty whenever he got the call. On March 17, 2024, his Father and Heaven called him home. With his children surrounding him, he left this life and entered the next, passing through the veil into the loving arms of his wife. Although Lyle will be deeply missed by this family, they are comforted with the knowledge that he is now reunited with Christine and aspire to live up to their legacy.
Lyle was preceded in death by his sweetheart, Christine and son-in-law, Brandon Brown, granddaughter Carolyn Wade, and grandson Jedediah Sainsbury. He is survived by his seven children, Lorelei (Brandon) Brown, Lincoln (Keranne) Dayberry, Lillian (Matthew) Wade, Lydia (Tyrell) Sainsbury, Lance (Kelsey) Dayberry, Lee (Karina) Dayberry, and Leif (Emily) Dayberry as well as his grandchildren, Bryan Brown, Jayden Brown, Alec Dayberry, Kendra Roberts, Anna Dayberry, Mason Roberts, Avery Dayberry, Ashton Dayberry, Bailey Roberts, Aimee Dayberry, Alyssa Dayberry, Mason Wade, Kaylin Wade, Madilyn Wade, Evelyn Wade, Genevieve Sainsbury, James Sainsbury, Jax Sainsbury, Jensen Sainsbury, Carter Dayberry, Colton Daybery, Brooke Dayberry, Jason Dayberry; and great-grandchildren Kellin Fronk, Lyla Roberts, and Aiden Roberts.
The family would like to thank Central Utah Veterans home staff (he called them his angels), the many medical professionals that assisted in his care, the 300 hall veterans that were his friends, and his ward family.
Lyle will be laid to rest at Tahoma National Cemetery next to his wife. The graveside service will be Wednesday, March 27, 2024, beginning at 11 am, at 18600 SE 240th St Kent, Washington. Lyle will be honored for his 20 years of army service, including times of combat, with the 21 Gun-Salute and Military Funeral Honors. All are welcome to attend.
Flowers for Lyle can be sent to: Bonney Watson Washington Memorial Funeral Home at 16445 International Blvd, SeaTac, WA 98188.
Uncle Lyle was an inspiration to me when I was young. He was always kind and very knowledgeable. As a kid I always looked forward to seeing him and his family during the holidays at our grandparents home in Kent. Thank you for your contribution and dedication to the United States Army.
Issac Stanley Little Rock Arkansas