Lyle Douglas Sexton, 88, passed away on October 8, 2022 in Franklin, TN. He was born on June 9, 1934, in Romeo, MI. After high school he joined the Army and served as a Pathfinder with the 11th Airborne at Fort Campbell during the Korean Conflict. In 1956, Lyle married Patricia Ligon and started a family. He earned a B.A. in History and M.A. in Social Science from Western Kentucky University.
Early in his career, Lyle owned and operated Kinsmen, an assembly plant in Almont, MI that produced seat belt buckles for the automotive industry. Later on he was a partner at Avion Coach in Benton Harbor, and then at Ligon Brothers Manufacturing in Almont. In 1982 he and Patricia relocated to California, where Lyle was plant manager for manufacturers of window coverings. By then a beloved grandfather, he coached his grandson Geoff’s Little League teams.
In 1997, Lyle and Patricia moved to Franklin, TN. A history buff, Lyle built the cannon that stands under the covered entrance to the Williamson County Archives and Museum in Franklin.
Lyle is survived by his wife, Patricia; his daughters, Kris Sexton, Lynn O’Neill, Anne Sexton and Karen Sexton; grandchildren, Brooke Dwyer, Eric (Brianne) Dwyer, Geoffrey Sexton and Michaela Hill; and great-grandchildren, Penelope and (twins) Philomena and Owen Dwyer.
A memorial service will be held at a later date in Michigan.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Habitat for Humanity, the American Cancer Society, or the charity of your choice.
