On June 6, 2022, Roy Lyles passed away of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at Regional West Medical Center surrounded by his loving family.
Roy was born Truman Roy Lyles Jr. on February, 10,1950 to Alma and Truman Lyles in Mercedes, Texas. He grew up in Weslaco, Texas in the Rio Grande Valley on the Texas/Mexico border. In high school he became active in the FFA, and that was the spark that began his lifelong passion for agriculture and conservation.
In 1969, he married his high school love, Judi Mae Vance As newlyweds, they headed for Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas, where Roy studied Range and Animal Science.
His first job out of college was with the Magic Valley Rural Electric. Climbing poles in storms was exciting, but when a position with the Texas State Vegetable Inspection Service opened up, he jumped at the chance. The criteria for the job required him to report to any vegetable packing plant in Texas within 24 hours. The mere size of Texas made it difficult to get a family packed and on the move.
When he was offered a full time position with LLC, an international vegetable packing plant, the family settled into the Texas Panhandle town of Dimmitt. In 1979, Roy and his family made the big move to the Nebraska Panhandle for him to manage the farming part of a potato operation. The family settled in Gering. Roy brought his knowledge of pivot irrigation, and was instrumental in expanding the number of pivots used in crop production in the area. During this time, he entered into a partnership that purchased the Linn Ranch in Kimball, Nebraska, and began to manage that operation, as well as the expanding acres of the Shaver Seed Potato Company.
Roy had a life changing offer to work for the North Platte Natural Resources District to head their tree planting operation. He planted trees and worked on conservation projects for the next 28 years. In 1995, he and Judi purchased their first land in Banner County, and began to fulfill Roy’s lifelong dream of creating a sustainable ranch. He had been gifted the Circle Arrow brand from the Linn Ranch. Texas was always in Roy’s heart, so it was natural that they would purchase Texas Longhorn cattle. The seed herd was purchased from Charlie III at the famous YO Ranch in Mountain Home, Texas,. The Circle Arrow Longhorns grass-fed beef company was born. Roy continued to work at the NRD and Judi continued teaching at Gering Schools, driving in together each day until they both retired. They often laughed that they had built their ranch mostly in the dark!
He always made time for family, friends and fun. He was an avid hunter, and was determined to preserve wildlife for future generations, and promote responsible gun ownership. He was active in Pheasants Forever, and taught Hunter Safety, and loved sporting clays. He loved his horses, and rode in the Pony Express and organized many trail drives to promote nature and conservation.
His greatest legacy is his family. He never tired of teaching his children and grandchildren the skills he thought they needed to be successful.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Judi; daughters, Tina (David) Worthman, Chrissy (Elton) Randall, granddaughters Taryn Lackey, and Paige Lackey; grandsons Divin Randall, and Tye Randall. Siblings Joyce Guedalia and Damon Lyles. He is preceded in death by his parents, and his many beloved animals.
A celebration of a life well lived will be held at the Wildcat Hills Nature Center, Saturday, June 11 at 2:00 pm. To honor Roy, please plant a tree, and you may donate to the Nebraska Game and Parks for the promotion of the Hunter Safety Program. Fond memories and condolences may be left at www.geringchapel.com. Gering Memorial Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.
