Lyons, Joseph B., Jr.
(born: 1929 - died: 2001)Joseph B. Lyons, Jr. was born in Lexington, KY, the son of Joseph B. and Sam Ella Lyons. He was the brother of Donald W. Lyons, Sr. He was a graduate of Old Dunbar High School and attended Kentucky State University, later completing his electrical engineering degree at the University of Kentucky.
Lyons served with the U.S. Air Force and had a 32 year career as a civilian employee in the Department of the Navy. An expert in radar systems, he was the first African American to be named manager of the microwave technology division of the Sensors and Avionics Technology Directorate. He also held six patents.
In 2007, Lyons was posthumously inducted into the University of Kentucky College of Engineering Hall of Distinction.
For more see D. Adkins, "UK Engineering Hall of Distinction honors new inductees," UK News, 4/30/2007, p. 7; Joseph B. Lyons, Jr. (posthumous), BSEE 1958) at the University of Kentucky College of Engineering Alumni website.