Maurice Lyons, former chairman of Morongo Band, passes at 63

Monday, October 21, 2013  

Maurice Lyons, a former chairman of the Morongo Band of Mission Indians in California, died on Wednesday. He was 63.

Lyons served in leadership positions for his tribe for 15 years. He was elected chairman in 2001 and stepped down in 2006 due to health concerns.

"Maurice helped secure a better future for the Morongo Band of Mission Indians and our youth, and his dedication to preserving tribal culture and promoting self-sufficiency will live for generations," Chairman Robert Martin said in a statement, The Los Angeles Times reported.

A memorial service was held on Saturday on the reservation.

Get the Story:
Former Morongo tribal chairman Maurice Lyons dies (Inland News Today 10/20)
Former tribal chairman Maurice Lyons dies (The Riverside Press-Enterprise 10/19)
Maurice Lyons, former Morongo Band of Mission Indians chairman, dies (The Palm Springs Desert Sun 10/19)
Maurice Lyons dies at 63; chairman of Morongo Band of Mission Indians (The Los Angeles Times 10/19)
Long-time Morongo Tribal Chairman Lyons Dies (Patch 10/18)