Phillip Nevin Lyons, a Newport Beach resident known for his adventurous spirit and deep commitment to aviation and the arts, passed away at the age of 90 on September 7, 2026, surrounded by family. Born on November 22, 1935, in Pomona, California, and raised in Long Beach and Ontario, Lyons cultivated a life marked by diverse pursuits and notable achievements.
A lifelong enthusiast of flying, Lyons earned his pilot’s license after personally financing the purchase of a two-seater airplane and went on to pilot jets throughout much of his adult life. In his mid-70s, he achieved a significant milestone by qualifying to command an F/A-18 after passing rigorous flight simulations and live exercises. Lyons maintained close relationships with prominent figures in the aerospace community, including astronauts Alan Shepard and Wally Schirra. He also contributed to preserving the legacy of space exploration, endowing the conservation of Neil Armstrong’s space suit at the Smithsonian Institution. Lyons often recounted that Armstrong once traveled aboard his personal jet.
Lyons’ early life reflected a determined and hardworking character. As a teenager, he balanced labor-intensive jobs with academic pursuits, motivated by a high school counselor’s question urging him to consider his future ambitions. Though initially awarded an NROTC scholarship to UCLA, he declined the offer due to the Navy’s extended wait time before allowing graduates to fly. Instead, Lyons focused on real estate development, starting as a contractor involved in building homes. His business acumen was evident when he capitalized on a government auction of cell towers in Guam, eventually selling them to a Japanese communications firm for a substantial profit.
Beyond aviation and business, Lyons was dedicated to supporting local cultural institutions. Alongside his wife of 68 years, Mary, he actively advised and donated to organizations such as Pacific Symphony and Pacific Chorale, demonstrating a commitment to enhancing the performing arts in his community.
Lyons celebrated his 90th birthday just a year prior with an extensive African safari, including a hot air balloon ride over game reserves. More recently, he enjoyed time with friends on Catalina Island aboard his 100-foot yacht, Satisfaction, a testament to a life lived to its fullest.
He is survived by his wife Mary; their son Craig Lyons of Newport Beach; daughter Dana Lyons of Noosa, Queensland, Australia; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; his sister Ann Lyons of Carlsbad, California; and extended family members. Funeral services will be private, with a public memorial planned for late autumn. The family has requested that donations be made in Phil Lyons’ memory to Pacific Symphony, Pacific Chorale, or the Segerstrom Center for the Arts.