Ambrose Lee Lyth, Jr.

Ambrose (aka A.L.) was born February 28, 1925 in Bellville, Texas, being the third son of Ambrose Lee Lyth, Sr. and Lillie Mary Bartay Lyth.  His death occurred on May 26, 2023, at Mercy Hospice House, Durango, Colorado, after a full and healthful life of 98 years.  His spiritual new birth occurred during 1931 at First Baptist Church of Bellville, Texas.

Ambrose’s life verse was Psalm 17:15  (ESV):  “As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.”  Ambrose believed the word of God and built his faith on the gospel of Jesus Christ.  His earnest desire in life was to glorify God.  He is now experiencing the realization of his life verse.

Ambrose graduated from Bellville High School in 1942, immediately after the start of World War II. He enlisted in the Army Air Corp in May 1943 and began training to be a navigator.  He was honorably discharged in September due to respiratory health issues. Following discharge, he worked at a gulf seaport loading ships that took fuel to the war theater.  He enrolled at Texas A & M College and initiated his academic training in the sciences which was completed seven years later in 1949 with both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Texas A & M, Washington University, and The University of Texas at Austin respectively.

In the summer and fall of 1947 he and Gladys Rinn renewed a friendship that had existed during their high school years at Bellville and were married December 27, 1947, at the Chapel on Texas State Women’s College campus, Denton, Texas.  They celebrated 67 years of marriage during which time God gave them three daughters: Rebecca Louise (Smith), Mary Rinn (McPherson) and Barbara Lee (Westfall); beloved sons in law: Gale McPherson and Mike Westfall; seven grand children:  Joshua Smith, M.D. (Kelly), Rachel McPherson Kuss (Tim), The Reverend Nathanael Smith (Emily), Sarah McPherson Badger (Jake), Joy Anne McPherson Marshall (Dr. Taylor), Jennifer Westfall Glover (Will), and Heather Westfall Schmitt (Dave); twenty-nine (29) great-grandchildren: Joshua and Jordan Smith; Victoria Barletta and Kassi and Bodhi Kuss; Gabriel, Mary Claire, Rose, Jude Ambrose, Becket, Blaise, Elizabeth, and Margaret Marshall; Clay, Thomas, Henry, and Amelia Smith;  Olivia, Elijah, Anna, Jonny, Priscilla, Warren and baby Julia Badger; Jacquelyn, William, and Felicity Glover; Isaac and Jonathan Schmitt.  He loved each of these children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren dearly and prayed for them daily.  Ambrose is also survived by a nephew and niece, Arnold Cavazos, and Deborah Cavazos Safi, niece Donna Lyth, great-nephews and nieces John Lyth and sisters Julie and Jayne, Stephen Merak and sister Melissa, and older cousin Billy Jackson age 98, all residing in Texas.

Upon graduation from The University of Texas at Austin, Ambrose began a 31-year career with Chevron Corporation, beginning as a field geologist and retiring as Chief Geologist in Denver in 1980.  In every location Chevron sent them, they joined and served God in a local church.  Following retirement from Chevron, he practiced as an independent oil and gas consultant, enabling Ambrose and Gladys to serve as volunteer missionaries for 16 years in the United States and in 13 other countries.  They participated in 21 separate evangelical mission endeavors outside the US.  They put feet to their love for Jesus through in person service and generous monetary support that garnered for them the love of Christian brethren worldwide.  Ambrose delighted in sharing both the oral and written Word of God with those he came in contact to the very end of his life.

In 2006 Ambrose and Gladys moved to Durango to be close to Mary and Gale for assistance with Gladys’ failing health.  Through their years here, family from across the United States came frequently to visit this beloved family patriarch.  Ambrose’s and Gladys’ faithfulness to God through Christ Jesus their Savior was exampled in their unconditional love for their entire family.  Gladys predeceased Ambrose in 2015.  Ambrose is a current member of Florida Baptist Church.

Memorial gifts may be made to Gideons International, to Kenya Hunger Relief and Bible purchases through Servants of Christ International (Attn: Mr. James Walters, 852 S. Carriage Dr., Milliken, CO 80543. Ambrose Memorial on memo line.), or the charity of your choice.

A celebration of life service will be held graveside on June 9, 2023, at 10:00 am.  His grandson, The Reverend Nathanael Lyth Smith, will lead the service. Interment will be at Pine River Cemetery, Bayfield, Colorado immediately following the service.