John Milton Lyda

John Milton Lyda, 82, of Nashville, Tennessee, passed away peacefully on January 27, 2025. Born on May 14, 1942, in Hendersonville, North Carolina, John lived a life full of love, creativity, and dedication.

John is survived by his beloved daughter and son-in-law, Tiffany Lyda Townsend (Chris) of Nashville, Tennessee; his brothers, James Michael Lyda (Patricia) of Franklin, Tennessee, and Thomas David Lyda (Eloise) of Hendersonville, North Carolina. He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Lynwood Lyda and Agnes Parker Lyda, his beloved wife, Denise Barwick Lyda, and his brothers, Parker Lynwood Lyda and Larry LeRoy Lyda.

A proud graduate of Hendersonville High School, Hendersonville, North Carolina, John continued his education at Massey Technical Institute in Jacksonville, Florida, earning a degree in Architectural Drafting in 1962. John went on to serve honorably in the United States Air Force from 1962 to 1966 as an Airman and Missile Facility Specialist at Little Rock Air Force Base in Jacksonville, Arkansas, working on the Titan II Missile. There, he developed a strong sense of duty and discipline. After his military service, he earned a four-year certificate in Illustration Art from Harris School Advertising in Franklin, Tennessee.

John had a distinguished career as a Systems Analyst and Graphic Designer at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, from 1972 to 2009. He played a pivotal role in developing the university’s campus-wide intranet during the 1980s and contributed significantly to numerous campus planning projects. Beyond his professional achievements, John was a talented professional photographer and had a profound love for technology, the outdoors, college football, reading, painting, art, and classical music.

A private memorial service will be held at St. Paul Cemetery in Edneyville, North Carolina. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation or Conserving Carolina in John’s memory.

May his memory be a blessing to all who knew him.