James Lyster

James J. “Jim” Lyster, 95, of Waco, died Friday, June 3, 2005 at a local nursing home. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 7 at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Chapel, with the Rev. Dr. Stephen Holcomb officiating. Burial will follow at Rosemound Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be from 5-7 p.m. Monday, June 6 at the funeral home. Mr. Lyster was born in Robert Lee, Texas, April 3, 1910 and moved to Waco at a very early age, attending Waco public schools and graduating from Waco High School in 1927. He married Anne Coleman in 1936 and served in the United States Army from 1942-1945, serving in England, France, Scotland, and Belgium. He worked for McLennan Hardware, San Antonio Machine and Supply Company, and Alamo Machine and Supply Company until his retirement in 1979. Mr. Lyster was active in his church, North Waco Baptist, where he served as chairman of deacons, Sunday School department director, and church clerk. He also was active in Northern Little League, beginning coaching in 1959 and coaching for more than 20 years. He then served as an announcer for both Northern Little League and the State Little League Tournament for several years. After retiring from coaching, Northern Little League named its major league field after him: Jim Lyster Field. He loved and followed Baylor athletics, serving in a volunteer position in the Baylor University Sports Information Office as a statistician for football and basketball from 1956 until 1997. Mr. Lyster was preceded in death by his mother, Mae Lyster; his wife of 49 years, Anne; brother, Thomas; and sister, Jean Lauck. He is survived by his five children: Jimanne Heather, and husband Steve of Edmond, Oklahoma; Robert Lyster, and wife Arazella of Lynchburg, Virginia; Tom Lyster, and wife Eileen of Waco; Patty Holcomb, and husband Steve of Dallas; John Lyster, and wife Stephanie of Waco. He has six grandchildren: Michael Meadors, Melody Spivey, Helen Mason, Bob Lyster, Rachel Simpson, and Patrick Holcomb, and four great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hillcrest Hospice Services, 3000 Herring, Waco, Texas, 76708. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our “Memorial Guestbook” at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com. WILKIRSON-HATCH-BAILEY