In Memoriam

John Frederick Lyons

1944-2009

 No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent,
a part of the main; . . . any man's death diminishes me, because I am
involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bell
tolls; it tolls for thee.  John Donne

With profound sadness, we say farewell to a man whose life touched us all so greatly, and, in the words of John Donne, whose passing has diminished us all. 

John Frederick Lyons was born on June 20, 1944, in Bloomington.  He obtained his law degree from Indiana University, and graduated at the top of his class.  He was awarded the prestigious Order of the Coif, and joined our firm, then called Barrett, Barrett & McNagny, in 1969.  John was an eager associate in the litigation section, and often, a bit of a prankster.  Over the years, John developed specialties in appellate litigation, insurance coverage disputes, alternative dispute resolution, and legal ethics.  When the State of Indiana started mandating mediation in many civil cases, John was trained and later certified as an accredited mediator. 

It was mostly as a mediator that John became so well known and respected throughout the legal community.  With a style both gentle and firm, John helped other lawyers and their clients see their cases in a new light.  Many people expressing condolences pointed out what a gentleman John was, a "grand old man of the bar."  One member of John's church remarked that "he was the only lawyer I ever liked."  

John loved the practice of law, and loved discussing cases, theories, and strategies.  He had an incomparable writing style, and an uncanny way to express just the right sentiment, because, at bottom, John was a poet.  None of us will forget the many times John would reduce a roomful of sometimes overly-serious attorneys to laughter and to tears with his sharp and penetrating wit (often put to music).

Outside the law, John was very active in the Woodburn Missionary Church and his love of the Lord was profound.  He so enjoyed teaching Sunday School and acted in his church's passion play every year.  He was an avid outdoorsman, and his travels often involved fishing and hiking.  

John's greatest love was his family.  He leaves behind his wife, Cindy, son John and his wife Sonja, son Michael and his wife Kristen, stepchildren Melissa and John Rindahl, and grandchildren Brenten, Jacksen, Reagen, and Chase. 

We will miss him.