Thomas John Lyles

RONAN — Thomas John Lyles, 20, was called home by the Creator early Saturday morning, March 11, 2006, from injuries sustained in a car accident west of Ronan. Our thoughts and prayers are also with Chuck and Carolyn Weivoda, who lost their son Chris in the same accident.

Thomas was born April 9, 1985, to John Lyles and Patty Swaney. The couple later divorced, and when Patty married Willie Stevens, Willie raised Thomas as his son and loved him as any father would.

Thomas attended school in Ronan, where he made many friends due to his easy-going and affectionate nature. He also made friends with people much older than he was, and often went out of his way to visit with his elders and was respectful and courteous to them.

He was a basketball player and we are proud to say he was a member of the Ronan Chiefs when they were the state Class A runner-up in his junior year. Thomas was a natural leader on the court and continued his love of the game after high school by playing in every pick-up game and 3-on-3 tournament he could get into.

Thomas found something he loved even more than the game of basketball when in 2005 he fathered a son with Vivian Black. Brian was the absolute joy of Thomas' life from the moment he entered the world, and it is hard to imagine a prouder and more devoted young father. Everywhere Thomas went, he had Brian with him and we know it was Thomas' hope that Brian would grow up to share his love of basketball. We know that Vivian and Brian will miss him.

Thomas is survived by his mother and father; his brother Joseph Stevens at the family home in Ronan; his sister Joanna Phillips and niece and nephew Erica and Jason of Kotzebue, Alaska, and Gary Baldwin of Anchorage, Alaska; and by his birth father, John Lyles and three siblings in Swaledale, Iowa.

His family at home includes his sile' Thomas "Bearhead" Swaney, his yaya' Dorene Vallee and her husband, John Vallee; aunt Kim Swaney and cousins Jamie and Raymond, aunt Ruth Swaney and cousins Marianne and Catherine, uncle Bill Swaney, and aunt Dawn Thomas and cousins Kyle, Kale and Kayla.

Extended family includes Virgie Woodcock, Andy and Rita Woodcock, Dorothy Woodcock, Gary Stevens, Lorraine Stevens, Laura Stevens, Bob Woodcock, Millie Woodcock, Louella Heavy Runner and all their families.

Thomas was a special young man who touched many lives during his brief time with us, and it is not possible to list all of the special friends and extended family members who were a part of his life. We do want to recognize Terry and Crystal Pitts and their sons Zachary and Zanen, Gene and Anna Sorrell, Karen McMullen and Bob Marsenich, Lorena Lawson and Eddie Ivanoff, Doug Allard, and Chuck and JoAnn Tellier and all their families.

Wake services and visitation began March 13, at the longhouse in St. Ignatius with prayer services at Monday night. Wake closing was at 9 a.m. Tuesday at the longhouse followed by burial at the family cemetery east of St. Ignatius.

A memorial service is also planned at the Ronan High School at a later date to celebrate the lives of Thomas and Chris.