Lyle Ray Box, 89 years, of Fort Madison, Iowa died 1:01 pm Friday April 8, 2016 at his home. He was born October 31, 1926 at Ottumwa, Iowa, the son of Ray W. and Effie (Miller) Box. On June 18, 1955, he married Phyllis Elaine Carlson, of Des Moines, Iowa. She preceded him in death on February 8, 2002.

Lyle was a 1945 graduate of Washington High School and was the High School Honorable Mention for All State Football as quarterback. Lyle was a veteran of the United States Army, serving during World War II, with the 1226th SUA US Detention Barracks. He was a graduate of George Williams College. He moved to Fort Madison, Iowa in 1954, where he worked at Sheaffer Pen Company for 33 years. In his retirement years, he worked as a greeter at the Barr Memorial Chapel funeral home. He was a member of the American Legion where he served as Commander, Financial Officer, Scholarship Chairman, and Boys State/Girls State Chairman. He was a member of the Odd Fellows, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and the former Fort Madison Jaycees. He was active with the Tri-State Rodeo for 39 years, serving as a past chairman. He was responsible for the start of the Rodeo Parade and was honored as the 1994 Grand Marshall of the parade. He was on the original board of the Fort Madison YMCA, and was the Executive Director for the Fort Madison Junior Achievement. He was a member of the Fort Madison United Methodist Church, Fort Madison, and was an original board member of the former First United Methodist Church, Past Assistant Lay Leader, Financial Secretary, Chairman of the Rodeo Luncheon, Trustee, and served on many other committees. In 2010, he went with the WWII Veterans Honors Flight to Washington, D.C. He loved to travel, and visited nearly all 50 states, including Alaska and eight trips to Hawaii. He was an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan and attended games for 18 years. He was also a Chicago Cubs fan.

He is survived by one son, Mark (wife Allison) Box, of Davenport, Iowa; one daughter, Melissa Snyder, of Fort Madison, Iowa; and two grandsons: Lucas (wife Nicol) and Axel. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Phyllis.

Family will greet friends from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm Monday April 11, 2016 at the Barr Memorial Chapel, Fort Madison, with an Odd Fellows Service at 6:30 pm. Funeral services will be 10:00 am Tuesday April 12, 2016 at the Fort Madison United Methodist Church, with Reverend Lanette S. Van officiating. Burial with full military rites will be at the Claypoole Cemetery, Wever. A memorial has been established, contributions may be made at the church or Barr Memorial Chapel. Online condolences to the Box Family may be made at the Barr Memorial Chapel website, www.barrmemorialchapel.com