Lyle R. McCargar
December 25, 2013
Lyle R. McCargar, 88, of Waukee, died on December 25, 2013, at UnityPoint DSM Lutheran Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa. Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, December 30, 2013, at Hamilton’s Westown Funeral Home, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines, with burial following at Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery. The family will greet friends from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 29 at the funeral home.
Lyle was born in Wolsey, South Dakota on February 5, 1925. He moved to Iowa with his parents and siblings in 1932, where they stayed a short time in New Sharon before moving to Oskaloosa, where Lyle attended elementary school.
After his high school days at both Oskaloosa and Newton, Lyle was inducted into the armed services, where he spent nearly three years, one year in the continental U.S. and two years overseas, mainly in New Guinea and the Philippines. Upon returning from overseas in 1946, Lyle married Genevieve Lester of Oskaloosa. Three children were from this union, Ronald, Richard, and Cheryl.
Lyle received his Bachelor’s Degree from William Penn College in 1949, his Master’s Degree from the University of Wyoming in 1961, and attended special classes at the University of Iowa, the University of Minnesota, Central Connecticut State College, the Catholic University of the West in Angers, France, and the University of Northern Iowa.
Lyle was an English and French teacher for many years, first at Dayton, Iowa and later at Boone High School. After that he taught only French at the Boone Jr. College and the Des Moines Area Community College, where he remained until 1973, when he left to sell real estate in Des Moines. In 1987 he retired, spending most of his time reading, volunteering, traveling and visiting and helping friends.
He is survived by his children, Ronald (Sharon) McCargar of Boone; Richard (Barbara) McCargar of Clive, and Cheryl (Steven ) Voyna of Bondurant; his late companion’s children, Karen (Ernie) Wittmaier of Des Moines; Janet Brown of Arizona; Craig Shiffer of Des Moines; Brende (Mark) Walker of Cumming; his siblings, Kathryn McCargar of Arizona; Mildred (William) Smith of California; Dale McCargar and Janice (Darrell) Eilander, both of Ankeny; as well as 26 grandchildren, 58 great-grandchildren, five great-great-grandchildren; and other extended family and loving friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Elliston and Laura McCargar, his brothers, Clyde and Stan McCargar, his first wife, Genevieve, his loving companion of many years, L. Louise Field and his step-son, Brian Coates.
Memorials may be made to the Wesley Home Hospice of Des Moines, the American Civil Liberties Union or to the Council for Secular Humanism.
Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Mike and Nancy Burns
01/08/2014
We are so sorry for the devastating loss of Lyle. He was a great guy with so much energy. I was so happy he loved my Aunt Louise and her family so much. He was uplifting, interesting and kind. Our deepest sympathy. The Burns Family
Mary Carey
12/31/2013
Lyle was a fun and funny guy---
Here at Thomas Place.
Will miss his smile.
Peace and Sympathy.
Mary Carey
Rev. Dr. Chuck Sonquist
12/31/2013
Mr. McCargar was my best and most influential teacher in my public school years in Dayton. Besides English, he was my speach teacher.
After one district contest we were running through the rain to go back to Dayton. A big puddle next to the parking lot was ahead of both of us. I thought I could jump and clear the puddle. Instead I came down short of the edge and splashed water on him. In response he called out to me, "I thought you were my friend!" He was a friend to me. I was just a bad jumper.
I became a preacher in the Detroit area and earned a doctorate. He was always an inspiration to me that has meant a great deal.
Thanks for sharing your father with me and my sister Phyllis too.
Chuck Sonquist
Marc Harding
12/30/2013
Lyle and I went through many things together. I always enjoyed talking to him, hearing about his travels and experiences. Sorry to hear he is gone.
Marci Vass
12/30/2013
It was a pleasure and an honor to have known Lyle. He was a wonderful companion to my grandmother and more than a friend to our extended family. He will be missed by all that knew him. Our deepest sympathies to all that knew him. He is a treasure that we will always cherish.
Marci and Tony Vass
Mike Nyman
12/29/2013
Lyle was a good teacher and he was my teacher at both Boone High and DMACC. My condolences to the family...class of 1964
Bud and Shirley Stock
12/29/2013
Sorry to hear of the passing of both you and Jenny. We were very good friends when you lived in Boone, and taught along side of Bud in the English Dept. We had lost tract of both.
Brende Walker
12/28/2013
I read this somewhere and it seems fitting.Those we love don't go away, they walk beside us every day, unseen, unheard, but always near, still loved , still missed, but very dear.I love you dad and will miss you much. Thanks for loving me.
Justi Reese
12/28/2013
My thoughts and prayers go to your family. Lyle was such a Great guy. Brian always had nothing but great things to say about him.
Jerry & Neva Michael
12/28/2013
Lyle left us with fond memories of his kind and loving nature.
Gary Mast
12/27/2013
Cousin Lyle has always been a special person in my heart. The memories we have shared will be remembered by me and not forgotten. My heart goes out to the family of Lyle McCargar.
John R Hartman
12/27/2013
Sorry to hear of thepassing of you Father. We pray that God will comfort you and your family.
John and Mary