Lyle Glenn Tefft, 93, died Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020, at Carilion New River Valley Medical Center of complications following surgery for a hip fracture.
He was born in 1927 in Lawrence, Kan. He joined the U.S. Navy toward the end of WWII and served aboard the U.S.S. Bandera. He returned to Lawrence, attended Kansas University and was employed by the Sunflower Ordinance Works, which was operated by the Hercules Powder Company. He came to Virginia after being transferred by Hercules to the Radford Army Ammunition Plant where he worked as an illustrator.
He enjoyed reading, documentaries and following politics, and he achieved his most recent life goal by living long enough to vote in the 2020 Presidential Election, and by the way, his “guy” won. Until well into his eighties, he enjoyed camping, canoeing and driving country roads with his son. Prior to the recent pandemic, he was a Tuesday night regular at the River Company in Fairlawn.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Margaret “Maggie” Morrison Tefft, and two brothers, Elden Tefft of Lawrence, Kan., and Gaylord Tefft of Harleysville, Penn.
He is survived by a son, G. Lyle Tefft of Radford; a granddaughter, April “Nikki” Brewer of Rocky Mount, N.C.; several dear neighbors and a number of freeloading cats. He is also survived by his son’s circle of friends, who called him “Papa Lyle” and enjoyed many a camping trip, canoe trip, live music event and bar run with him over the years.
His body will be cremated and a private remembrance held after an easing of the pandemic. Friends are urged simply to hold Lyle in their thoughts; however, contributions may be made to City Emergency Relief Fund, New River Community Action, 1093 E. Main St., Radford, VA 24141.
The Tefft family is in the care of Mullins Funeral Home & Crematory. www.mullinsfuneralhome.com.