Daniel G. Lyman

Retired CMSgt Daniel G. Lyman, 72, of Ottawa, Kansas, lost his courageous battle against pancreatic cancer December 29, 2020, with his loving family by his side. Family will meet with friends from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., Sunday, January 17, 2021, at Dengel & Son Mortuary, Ottawa. Inurnment will be held at 1:30 p.m., Friday, January 22, 2021, at Fort Scott National Cemetery, 900 E. National Ave., Fort Scott, KS, 66701 with military honors by the United States Air Force. Dan was born April 27, 1948, at Fort Scott, Kansas, the only child of Charles A. Lyman and Martha J. (Allison) Lyman. He started working at the early age of 14 and never stopped. Dan graduated from Fort Scott High School with the class of 1966, attended Fort Scott Community College and Glendale Community College, Glendale, Arizona, where he played baseball. He served in the United States Air Force from 1969 to 1973 doing two tours of duty in Vietnam. He continued his education at Pittsburg State University earning a Bachelor of Science in Education and started his teaching career at Central Heights, Richmond, Kansas in 1976. Dan was united in marriage to the love of his life Lea Kuiken May 21, 1978, at Princeton, Kansas. He furthered his education receiving a master’s degree in Elementary Education at Pittsburg State University. In the early 1980’s, Dan was the principal at Lyndon Elementary School USD 421. Dan missed the military so in 1981 he joined the 190th Air Refueling Wing with the Kansas Air National Guard and remained in active duty until his retirement. He worked in Personnel, Civil Engineering, was a member of the Honor Guard and back to Personnel where he retired as a Chief Master Sergeant in 2003 with 28 years of military service. Teaching was his love and passion. After retiring from the military, he returned to Central Heights teaching Middle School English. He retired from teaching in 2013, but went back after 1 year, because his wife made him do too much yard work. This time he taught Computer Lab. He retired once again but ended up right back at Central Heights as the director of the Crisis Management team. He was there until his diagnosis. Dan and Lea celebrated 42 years of marriage and were blessed with four sons and seven grandchildren whom he loved and adored. He was so proud of all their accomplishments. Dan was an avid fan of NASCAR, KU Basketball, Kansas City Royals, Kansas City Chiefs, Atlanta Braves and the St. Louis Blues. He is survived and loved by his wife, sons, Aaron and wife Lisa of Topeka, Craig and Sammantha Glenn also of Topeka, Kevin and wife Sydney of Ottawa, and Clint and wife Hannah also of Ottawa. Grandchildren, Trent, Nicholas, Hanna, Ethan, Hadden, Maci and Brennan. Mother-in-law, Gurtha McCrea and step father-in-law, Jim McCrea. Two dear cousins, Jeannine Arens and Roy Petrie. And many, many wonderful friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and father-in-law, Robert Kuiken. Dan made a huge impact on the lives of many students and will be missed by all who knew him. We will never fill the void of his passing but are so grateful for all our wonderful memories. Some broken hearts never mend Some memories never end Some tears will never dry Our love for you will never die The family suggests memorial contributions to Central Heights Scholarship Fund where a scholarship will be established in Dan’s name c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.