Edward "Bubby" Lyons

Edward Paul “Bubby” Lyons, 91, a member of the Louisiana Political Hall of Fame and the only person to have served as Mayor of two different Louisiana cities, died at his home on Friday, May 14, 2021, following a brief illness, in Mandeville, Louisiana.

Serving in both and parish and city government afforded Bubby a unique perspective. He was a true public servant, always governing with the well-being of his constituents in mind. Amid the oil industry downturn, Lyons led the new model of consolidated government for Terrebonne Parish.   He was not afraid to lead from the front, making tough decisions during the oil industry’s downturn in the 1980’s. In 2009, at 80, Bubby provided stable, decisive, and vigorous leadership to the City of Mandeville as interim Mayor.

Bubby began his public service career in 1967, representing Ward 3 on the Terrebonne Parish Police Jury. Following his re-election in 1971, he was elected President of the Police Jury and served in it as a full-time position, the first to do so. His untiring efforts and devotion to church and family garnered him the Most Useful Citizen of 1975 presented by the Houma Courier and Terrebonne Press. Bubby was elected Mayor of Houma in 1978.

In addition to his public service career, Bubby was a successful businessman. From his youth, assisting his father with driving and delivering bread, to oil field work with Texaco and Placid, to part-ownership of Duplantis Truck Lines, Inc., he demonstrated a solid ethical spirit.  Later in the 1970’s, he was co-owner of Quality Shipyards, Inc., and International Motor Co. He later became a part-owner in Benton Casing Service. He was also a veteran of the United States Army, having enlisted after he graduated from Terrebonne High in 1945. He also served as a member of the Board of Directors of First National Bank & Trust and Fidelity Federal Life Insurance Company, and as Chairman of Louisiana Energy and Power Authority.

Bubby was also active in his Catholic faith and served the parishes of Annunziata and Holy Rosary in Houma, and Our Lady of the Lake in Mandeville. He and his wife Joan served on the Board of Directors of Holy Redeemer Seminary and High School in Lacombe. Lyons was a Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus.

While in their 60’s, Bubby and Joan turned a lifelong love of travel into a family business with the establishment of Bayouland Tours Inc.  Joan, starting and running the bus tour business, and Bubby alongside as host and entertainer. He was beloved for his jokes and leading sing-alongs with the fellow travelers to their delight.  

Bubby was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years; Joan Ann Ortego Lyons; his sister, Eurilda Lyons Jones and husband Walter Richard (Dick) Jones; brother, Carroll Mark, Sr., and parents Edward Robert Lyons and Lillie Marie Duplantis Lyons. He is survived by his brother Jerry Jerome Lyons and sister-in-law Alice Lyons; his five children: Thomas L. “Tommy” (Becky): Edward Paul “Ed,” Jr. (Cecily); Jeff (Jo Anne); Leslie Lyons Patterson (Joey); and Benjamin “Ben” (Tanja). He was the loving grandfather of David Lyons, Katherine Lyons Thibodaux, Edie Lyons Schutz, Noelle Lyons Cork, Edward Paul “Trey” Lyons III, Jeff Lyons, Jr., Cliff Lyons, Sarah Lyons Ngo, Tim Patterson, Chris Patterson, Chase Lyons, Landon Lyons, Ana Lyons, and nine great-grandchildren.

A wake will be held Thursday evening at Chauvin Funeral Home at 5899 Hwy 311, Houma, LA. with visitation beginning at 5:00 p.m.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Francis de Sales Cathedral 508 Goode Street, Houma LA on Friday, May 21, 2021.  Eulogies will be offered beginning at 9:45 a.m. and services will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m. Due to Covid -19 restrictions, there will be no visitation prior to the services at the Cathedral. Interment will be conducted at Holy Rosary Catholic Church Cemetery at 8954 East Main Street in Houma, LA. In addition, a memorial mass will be held at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, 312 Lafitte Street, Mandeville, LA on Monday, May 24, 2021.Vistation will begin at 10:30 a.m. with Mass following at noon. 

If inclined to do so, a donation in memory of Bubby to the Kairos Prison Ministry of Louisiana, 22417 Level St., Abita Springs, LA 70420, would be greatly appreciated.

Chauvin Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Edward "Bubby" Lyons.