Howard Hurshel Lyle

Howard Hurshel Lyle, 85, died peacefully on October 1, 2020, surrounded by his loving family at his residence in Dallas, Texas. He leaves behind his beloved wife of 41 years, Patricia Davis Lyle, daughters Laura Lyle Whiting and Betsy Marsh Ybarra, and sons Bryan B. Marsh and Robert E. Marsh, all residing in the Dallas area. He was so proud of his eight grandsons, granddaughter, great grandson and three nephews.

Hurshel was born in Tyler, Texas on Christmas Eve, 1934, a true gift to his parents, Roy and Mervel Lyle, whom he loved dearly. He was raised in Tyler with his younger sister, JoAnn, amidst the close-knit extended Lyle clan. His grandparents, Mack and Ava Lyle, co-founded St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, an institution that anchored Hurshel and generations of the family for decades.

An all-district football star at John Tyler High School, Hurshel relished his time at the University of Texas as a freshman running back with his lifelong friend and captain of the team, Mike Trant. Forever loyal to the Longhorns, Hurshel and Mike never missed a game. Hurshel later played football for Tyler Junior College and went on to “study” in New Orleans and graduate with a business degree from Southern Methodist University. He married Janice Miller in 1959 and established himself in Dallas.

Hurshel was the quintessential optimistic salesman his entire life. He worked his way through college and his early career selling pots and pans for Vita Craft, often demonstrating his wares by cooking his famous “Hurshel’s Chicken” with his life-long buddy, Winston Hoffman. He was later a stock broker for Shearson, Hammill & Co. and then Lehman Brothers. During the tumultuous 1970’s, Hurshel weathered economic upheavals as a commodities broker for Conti Commodities. He went on to sell a variety of financial and benefits products, earning many awards and accolades as a top producer for several companies throughout his career. He was a people-magnet, in high demand for his innate skills for entertaining customers and senior management alike with his enthusiastic joke-telling and infectious laughter. He was always, without fail, the life and spirit of the party. And if there was no party, he made one.

Hurshel was also a family man. In 1979, he married Patricia (Pat), the love of his life. Together they successfully merged two families while building and supporting a vast network of loyal, fun-loving friends, business associates and relatives. At the big pink house in Richardson, they hosted legendary dinners featuring “Hurshel’s Ribs,” and their guest bedrooms often resembled an extended stay hotel. Always together, they happily crisscrossed the country managing a long-term contract with Teledyne, Inc., having more fun than should be legal for working adults.

Colorado was Hurshel’s happy place. After his first Colorado experience working at Trojan Ranch summer camp as a youth, the beauty and cooler temperatures captured his imagination. He returned there many times over his life, occasionally elk hunting with his dad. In the 1980’s he purchased a little log cabin in the National Forest north of Durango and, not to be outdone by his friends at Hilton Head, he christened it “Peckerhead”. Among the glorious Firs, Aspen and deer, he and Pat generously shared their treasure and summer adventures with family and so many dear friends from Durango and parts beyond.

Hurshel was a follower of Christ, living his faith ethically and honestly, no matter what challenges he faced. He and Pat attended Believers Chapel for many years, and in a sincere act of faith in the late 1990’s, he was baptized at Canyon Creek Baptist Church in Richardson.

After moving to Holly Lake Ranch, Hurshel and Pat created an East Texas paradise, planting and caring for hundreds of azeleas, dogwoods, redbuds and wisteria. Always the salesman, Hurshel continued to work and care for Pat, rising early, enjoying his coffee and newspaper, and working hard until he retired just a few years ago.

A real character, folks would say. Hurshel lived life to the fullest extent possible and was a model of positive attitude and perseverance. He was everyone’s friend, and never had a negative word for anyone. He was uniquely Hurshel and held a very special place in so many hearts. He will be missed on this earth, but forever celebrated in hilarious stories and cherished memories. It was a small world while Hurshel was in it.

Hurshel’s family expresses their sincere gratitude for the gentle care he received from the compassionate staff of Monticello West assisted living center, Dr. Christopher Chumley, and Total Hospice & Palliative Care of Dallas.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making a donation to Alzheimer’s Association by visiting:

www.alz.org/get-involved-now/other_ways_to_give/tributes