Arcelius Dunbar Ace Lyle Jr.

For all the folks in Paden City and around the area who lived in the late 50ás and into the 1960ás, one name among many sticks out above the rest. We knew him as Ace, he was one of the Lyle family. A great family who everyone grew to love. Ace was special to the community in many ways, he was a talented athlete who led the 1960 Wildcats to the state basketball championship with a hard earned victory over Ansted at the Mountaineer Field House in Morgantown.

Ace was one of 10 children, six boys and four girls. They were a huge part of the Paden City family in those days and continue to be remembered as such. Recently we were informed of the passing of “Ace” by his brother Garry an ex-professional football player with the Chicago Bears. While talking with Garry he told me how fortunate he was to have a big brother like Ace, he said without him he probably would never have accomplished the things he did, he said it was Ace always encouraging him to work hard and get better.

“RC” let me hang around with him and his buddies some, but only when there was sports involved,” said Garry. He remarked that Ace always had a smile and was a very kind individual. “On a side note, we all knew that”. Paden City has fond memories of the Lyle family. Of the 10 children Ace was the third in line, behind Patty and Barbara, Ruth was next, then Garry, Richard (Tugboat), David, Robert, Keith (Donald Keith), and Margurite Lynn.

I will share a memory of Tugboat playing little league baseball on the old field up in the north-east corner of the football field. With nobody on base and the score tied Tugboat came to bat. He clobbered one that went deep into the center of the football field. The center fielder ran to get it but the water sprinkler was on and the ball rolled into the center of it. The fielder set down and cried, allowing Tugboat to make it home with the winning run.

Ace was a regular at the outdoor basketball court. I loved to go watch those guys play and on a rare occasion Buddy Henderson and I got a chance to get in the action. We were several years younger but we picked up a lot from the older players. Buddy left Paden City in the seventh or eighth grade when his family moved to Clarksburg he continued to play ball and eventually made the Mountaineers where he played his freshman year before suffering an injury that finished his career.

There are many stories to be told of those days past, but we will get to a few more of them at a later date. Right now I want to share with all who knew the Lyle family that they will be having a Memorial Service to Celebrate the life of Arcelius Dunbar Lyle Jr. The gathering will take place on Saturday, June 18, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at the Abundant Life Fellowship In Christ Church, 884 Kenneth Avenue, New Kensington PA. 15068. They have invited all who would like to attend to come and join in as they celebrate the life of “Ace” as we knew him, “RC” as the family knew him.

Arcelius Dunbar Lyle Jr. – Sunrise: September 22, 1942 Sunset: January 4, 2021. To be absent from the body to be present with the Lord 2 Corinthians 5:8