Captain Edward “Ted” Lyon

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Captain Edward “Ted” Lyon, United States Navy, Retired, cast off his mooring lines for the final voyage on August 4, 2025, at “Lochabar,” his beloved home in Antes Fort. He was 90 years old.

Born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, Ted was the eldest child of Dr. Edward Lyon and Mary Cochran Lyon. He graduated from Williamsport High School in 1953 and Penn State University in 1957, and was a member of Beta Theta Pi. The same year he married his lifelong partner, Judith “Judee” Belle Lynn, at Trinity Episcopal Church. Over the course of 69 years together, they built a family of three children–Avis Lyon Stettinius (William), Edward Lyon (deceased), and Andrew Cochran Lyon–seven grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.

In 1958, Ted entered Navy Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island, graduating the following year. His first assignment was with the Beach Masters Unit in Coronado, California, where he was drawn to the newly-reemerging Underwater Demolition Teams. He earned his place among them through a demanding course, graduating with Class 25, and went on to serve with UDT-12, including a deployment to Danang, Vietnam.

As the conflict in Southeast Asia deepened, President Kennedy envisioned transforming UDT into the SEAL Teams. Ted took command of SEAL Team 2 in 1968, then served with the Commander in Chief of U.S. Naval Forces, Europe, in London. Returning stateside, he commanded UDT-21, graduated from the U.S. Army War College, he served for the Chief of Naval Operations at the Pentagon, and was promoted to Captain. He next took command as Commodore of the Naval Special Warfare Group 2 (the Pinnacle Command of Special Warfare). He was then posted to the Joint Special Operations Group at MacDill Air Force Base, and later served again at the Pentagon.

In 1985, Ted and Judee completed Defense Intelligence and language training before reporting to Jakarta, Indonesia, where Ted served as U.S. Naval AttachÈ. Upon retiring from active duty, they retired to Lochabar Cottage, Nippenose Valley.

In civilian life, Ted poured his energy into preservation and conservation. He served as a director of the North Central Pennsylvania Conservancy and was a dedicated member of Preservation Williamsport, acquiring and restoring historic homes. Their work brought life to the city’s Victorian Christmas tours and community events, often hosted at Lochabar.

Ted was an avid bridge player, playing duplicate bridge in London, Jakarta, and Key West. He loved the outdoors–camping, gardening, kayaking, hunting, fishing, gifted runner, the Boston Red Sox, Penn State Football–and delighted in the simple satisfactions of harvest season.

He wore the Navy in his heart as well as on his sleeve, donning his uniform for Memorial Day services and military occasions. He mentored countless young men considering a life of service and was always ready with a word of counsel. Above all, he was a gentleman–steadfast, clever, loving–and a husband, father, and grandfather whose presence will be dearly missed.

A celebration of Ted’s life will be held at Christ Episcopal Church, 462 Mulberry Street, Williamsport, on Wednesday, September 3, at noon. Friends and family may call from 11 a.m. Wednesday until the time of service at church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Christ Church, the North Pennsylvania Conservancy, or Preservation Williamsport.

Bravo Zulu, Captain Lyon.

Arrangements are entrusted to Frederick B. Welker Funeral Home, Jersey Shore. www.WelkerFuneralHome.com.