Charles "Lyle" Fulton

Charles “Lyle” Fulton, Des Moines, IA, passed away peacefully from this earth to his Savior, Jesus Christ, on 8/14/2023. Family and friends will honor his memory on Saturday, August 26th, at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens (121 NW 60th) with visitation at 11:00am and memorial service at noon.

Lyle was born to Samuel Fulton and Hazel (Couchman) Fulton on the family farm in Sewal, Iowa on September 7, 1929. He was the middle child of 3 boys. Lyle had fond memories of childhood. He worked the fields and milked the cows and ‘slopped’ the pigs with his dad. He went to school on horses with his brothers, Sammy Jr and Donal Dean. It was during his youth, in a little church down the road, that Lyle understood the gospel in the Bible and accepted Jesus as his Savior.

After graduating from high school at the age of 16, Lyle worked as a farm hand in the south-central Iowa area with the intent to save up for college. Before he could get that education, the army came calling in the Korean War conflict in the early 1950s. Lyle joined and proudly served for two years in Korea as a radio operator.

Shortly after returning home from Korea, he finished his higher education to become an accountant and office manager, working for Naegele Outdoor Advertising and then Goodwin-Tucker Group.

On the family front, Lyle met and married Leta Bevard in 1954 and moved to Des Moines, settling into the Beaverdale area. Three children came along: Debra (David) Blackman (Clive), Doug (Marika) Fulton (Honey Brook, PA), Dennis (Debbra) Fulton (Clive). The family has grown to 5 grandchildren plus ten great grandchildren plus one great great grandchild. The grandchildren: Nicole (Preston) Young, Emma Fulton, Decca Fulton, Eric (Frannie) Fulton, Aaron (Melani) Fulton. The great grandchildren: Madison Young, Tyler Young, Payton Young, Dylan Young, Graham Fulton, Bodey Fulton, Archie Fulton, Hayes Fulton, Addeline Fulton, Claire Fulton and (great-great grandchild) Wesley Hawkins.

In retirement, Lyle and Leta enjoyed traveling to Branson (more than 10 times), Hawaii and other places on this continent. Lyle also loved games and sports of all kinds. He was a life-long Cleveland Indians fan – and was none too happy with the name change a few years ago. He was a Cyclone fan and attended several games in Ames. At home, he was up for any indoor or outdoor game at family events, especially cribbage! He also loved golf although his golf score never matched up (or we should say, ‘down’) to his zeal for the game.

Lyle and Leta were long-time members of First Federated Church (now The Mission Church) where Lyle spent time on the Deacons board and as church treasurer. Lyle and Leta loved their ‘Galilean’ class members who became life-long friends and shared in many of their travels and experiences.

No matter what he was doing, Lyle was enjoying it. He was always smiling and cheerful and encouraging. He loved his family, near and far. Even in the last few months, while he had forgotten the names of his nieces and nephews and grandchildren and even his children, he prayed for his family, trusting them to the Lord’s care.

As Lyle’s physical and mental health declined in the last year and half, the caring staff from many places stepped in: Calvin Community in Beaverdale, Arbor Springs in West Des Moines, Suncrest Hospice Services in West Des Moines. While he couldn’t attend church in person in the last couple years, Lyle was shepherded so well by Chaplain Gundar at Calvin Community. To all of you caregivers of body and soul, much much thanks. We are so grateful for the job you did and the care you gave.

And now – all of our jobs are done when it comes to Lyle. Lyle’s care has been transferred over in full to the Lord, eternally and forever. ‘For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.’ 2 Corinthians 5:1.

Lyle is preceded in death by his wife, his parents and his brothers.

If you are so inclined, memorial contributions may be directed to the Good Samaritan Fund at Calvin Community in Beaverdale or to The Mission Church in Urbandale.

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