Marc Lyda

On June 11, 2025, after a brief time on hospice care, the remarkable Marc Grayson Lyda crossed his most important finish line. His wife, Hope, and his faithful pup, Bodie, were by his side.

Born on August 28, 1963, in St. Louis, Missouri, Mare lived most of his childhood in the DFW area of Texas and later moved to Oregon to attend the U of O in Eugene. He met Hope during this time and in 1990 they were married.

For 20 of his 61 years, Marc outmaneuvered a brain growth (AVM) and the subsequent 15+ surgeries, radiation, blindness, and many seasons of recovery. His life was not defined by his diagnosis but was refined by it. He focused on physical wellness and helping others overcome adversity. Through it all, he was a model of humility, faith, and possibility; always looking for his next way to work and serve.

His resume explains why anywhere he went, someone knew Marc from something, including his roles at: Roosevelt Middle School as an at-risk student advisor, Theos Coffee Shop, Eugene Marathon as the volunteer coordinator for its formative first three years, NCU as the cross-country assistant coach, Tensegrity Physical Therapy as a research assistant and strength coach for years, and the YMCA where he served as the Health and Wellness Assistant for the Ucan Gym program. He loved it all.

There are countless examples of Marc's strength and gusto. He earned money for college by working on a tender boat in Alaska. He served youth in Croatian refugee camps during the Bosnian war; and when he returned home, he completed a masters in Marriage and Family Therapy. Marc entered the world of weekend and hardcore athletes to pursue everything from 5-10k races to marathons and triathlons. While blind, he completed an LMT degree at LCC. Marc was also an avid boxer (at one point, he got Hope and his nephew Ben into it!) He attended the Hull Foundation's adventure camps for the blind, and in the later years, his brother, Lance, joined him to help. Marc also enjoyed activities planned by the Northwest Association of Blind Athletes.

The miracle man? The man who could not be kept down? Marc was a marvel. His kindness, patience, and willingness to face an obstacle and keep on going was an amazing witness to family, friends, clients, strangers, and the many doctors who were stunned by his continued fitness and ability to endure with grace and good humor.

Marc was preceded in death by his brother, Jay Lyda. He leaves behind wife, Hope (Flora) Lyda, and other family, including parents Hap C. Lyda and Julia (Whiteman) Lyda; brother, Lance Lyda; nephews and nieces: Jared Lyda, Morgan (Lyda) Price, Avery (Lyda) McGhee, Lindy Lyda, and Ben Cadwell. The Lydas, Floras, Cadwells, and all who met Marc, are better for having known him.

A celebration of life will be held in Eugene, Oregon on Sunday, August 31, 2025 at Theos Coffee Shop building located downtown at 199 W 8th Ave, Eugene, OR 97401 (8th and Charnelton Street).In lieu of flowers, consider donating in memory of Marc Lyda to the Northwest Association for Blind Athletes or to Hull Foundation and Learning Center.