Richard Lyons Jr.

Richard "Rick" F. Lyons Jr., 71, of Austin, passed away on Saturday, July 11, 2026, in Austin, Texas. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at First Methodist Church of Jasper. The family will greet friends from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. at Frank Ealand Hall at First Methodist Church.

A native of Jasper, Texas, Richard was born on September 22, 1954, to Richard Franklin Lyons Sr. and Pansy Leola Perkins Lyons. He grew up in the Curtis community and graduated from Jasper High School, proud class of 1973. A graduate of Stephen F. Austin State University and later the University of Texas at Austin, he worked as an accountant for the Texas Attorney General's office for most of his professional career, retiring in 2018. Austin was his home for over half of his life. He greatly enjoyed the live music scene and the host of friends who became family along the way. He rarely turned down an opportunity for a good concert, show, festival, or film — whether he attended by ticket or as a volunteer, he was going to find a way to be there. He was a true music aficionado, always knowing the up-and-coming artists before they hit the mainstream. His infectious smile and positive outlook on life will be missed greatly by a host of family and friends.

He is survived by his sister Barbara Jackson and husband Robert, of Jasper; nephews Thomas Bledsoe and wife Kristi, Brent Bledsoe, and Mark Nicklas and wife Christina; nieces Stacie Penny and husband Chase, Jennifer Nessbaum and husband Rob, and Stephanie Acosta and husband Michael; great-nieces and great-nephews Alexander, Bronson, Hannah, Kaleb, Grace, Taylar, Michael, Jordain, Lanie, Landry, Nathaniel, Isaac, Ezekiel, Aiden, and Aaron; as well as great-great-nephews and nieces William, Samuel, Belton, Blakely, and Xuri. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Sylvia Nicklas.

His family is eternally grateful to all of his friends, and especially to Paul Smith, B. F. Whitworth, Aubrey Stelly, and Lisa Strong. The love they showed Rick will never be forgotten.

Condolences can be posted at www.shultzfuneralhomeofjasper.com (http://www.shultzfuneralhomeofjasper.com/), on Facebook at Shultz Funeral Home & Crematory, or Instagram at Shultzfh.