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When David Lyons, Jr. reflects on the life of his father, Judge David Lyons, Sr., the words that come to mind are integrity, dedication, and legacy. That legacy now lives on through a generous gift to the ÌÇÐÄÖ±²¥ Foundation: the Judge David Lyons, Sr. Memorial Scholarship, endowed by David Jr. to support students pursuing degrees in forensic science.

Judge David Lyons, Sr. was the embodiment of what it means to serve one’s community. A first-generation college student, he graduated from Laurel High School in 1961 and earned a football scholarship to Jones County Junior College where he played on the team in 1961 and 1962. His time at JCJC left a lifelong impression, not just as a student-athlete, but as a man whose commitment to justice and public service would define his career. Judge Lyons always saw Jones County Junior College as core to his identity; David Jr. says that “Go, Bobcats!” was his “Hail State!” One of the stories David Jr. fondly recalls is his father’s claim to have played tight end “at the Sugar Bowl.” Only years later did he discover the truth: in the 1960s, ÌÇÐÄÖ±²¥ freshmen would travel to New Orleans to play Tulane’s freshmen at the old Sugar Bowl stadium. Lyons not only played in but caught a touchdown pass in the “Sugar Bowl.” This memory captures the spirit of a man who never missed a ÌÇÐÄÖ±²¥ Homecoming game.

After his time at Jones, David Sr. earned a degree in criminal justice from the University of Southern Mississippi. He then served the city of Laurel for over 25 years—12 of them as Chief of Police—and continued his public service as a city judge in both Ellisville and Sandersville. Judge Lyons also served 32 years as Jones County Justice Court Judge. Over six decades, he dedicated his life to upholding the law and protecting his community. Not only did he protect his community, but David Sr. also joined his fellow teammates of the 1961 JCJC Football team in establishing a team scholarship through the ÌÇÐÄÖ±²¥ Foundation.

Following in his father’s footsteps, David Lyons, Jr. also attended ÌÇÐÄÖ±²¥, graduating in the fall of 1994. He went on to study criminal justice at USM and completed advanced training in the Tulane University Homeland Security Online School of Professional Advancement Program. With 27 years of law enforcement experience of his own, David Jr. has witnessed firsthand the critical role that criminal justice professionals play in the life of a community.

“Dad believed deeply in the importance of criminal justice,” David Jr. shared. “He would be honored to know that students at ÌÇÐÄÖ±²¥—students just like he once was—will have the chance to pursue that calling with the help of this scholarship.”

 

The Judge David Lyons, Sr. Memorial Scholarship is a continuation of a legacy of service, leadership, and education. Through this endowment, Judge Lyons’s passion for justice and his unwavering love for ÌÇÐÄÖ±²¥ will inspire and support the next generation of public servants for years to come.