Pharmacist and Builder Al Lyon Dead at Age 89

Funeral services will be held Monday for Al (A) Lyon, a former Los Angeles pharmacist and builder and the father of prominent Orange County developer William Lyon.

Lyon died in his sleep at his South Laguna home Tuesday, three days before his 90th birthday.

William Lyon, chairman and founder of the William Lyon Co. and chairman of AirCal, has often attributed his success to the inspiration and guidance of his father, a builder of apartments and duplexes in Los Angeles during the Depression, a family spokesman said. William Lyon also is chairman of Golden West Homes.

Al Lyon was born in Russia, immigrated to the United States when he was 17 and served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps during World War I. He later worked as a pharmacist in Los Angeles and owned a wholesale drug business.

With his sons, William and Leon, Lyon started a wholesale beverage company, “A” Lyon and Sons, a major importer of Kahlua from Mexico. The business had divisions in Los Angeles and Phoenix. Lyon also served as chairman of Guardian Thrift & Loan in Los Angeles from 1953 to 1959.

In addition to his sons, Lyon is survived by six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He was married to the late Mary Susan Lyon.

Services will be held at 11:30 a.m. at the Old North Church in Forest Lawn, Hollywood. A reception will follow at the Sheraton Hotel in Universal City.