In memory of…
RON LYLE

(February 12, 1941 - November 25, 2011)


A recent photo of Ron at Felt

Ron Lyle was a heavyweight boxing legend, ranked as the #1 boxer in the world for some time during his career. He fought some of the biggest names in the sport, from George Foreman to Muhammad Ali.

Most of us here at Felt, though, knew him as a fairly unassuming man who loved the game of pool and became a regular shortly after we opened for business. He was quiet and kind, polite, and had a certain old-school class to him. Whenever he'd talk to someone there would always be the inevitable "do you know who that is?" conversation after he walked away, and he was never boastful about his achievements. He was a Denver native, growing up in the Five Points area of north Denver. He hung around pool halls as a young kid, and would get paid a nickel to rack balls for the players back then. He developed a love for pool at an early age, and played regularly at Felt. He was surely a much better boxer than a pool player, but he could hold his own at a game of 8-ball, his favorite. He'd often come in and watch some of the more advanced players. He loved burgers, diet coke, and would often finish it off with a bowl of ice cream with caramel and nuts on top.

Everyone loved Ron and the news of his passing has hit us all pretty hard here at Felt. We feel compelled to do our small part to keep his memory alive and honor some of the ideas and programs that he felt strongly about. He was the classic "troubled kid" who found a better life through boxing, and he worked to help change the lives of other troubled youths through the Cox-Lyle Boxing program he developed at the Salvation Army building at 2915 High Street in Denver.

In support of this program, Felt has decided to create the Ron Lyle Memorial 8-ball Tournament, to be held on February 25, 2012:
Felt is also announcing the "Ron Lyle Special" menu item: a bacon cheeseburger, fries, soft drink and ice cream scoop, for $11.50 (regularly $12.95). From now through the tournament, $4 for every "Ron Lyle Special" ordered will be donated to the Salvation Army in honor of Ron. After the tournament, the special will stay on the menu, and Felt will donate 10% of all Specials sold every year to the Salvation Army. It's our small way to honor and support the memory of our friend.

Whether you knew Ron peronsally or not, we hope you'll join us in support of this great cause.

Rest in Peace, Ron. We miss you, champ.



Read more about Ron's amazing life in Off the Ropes: The Ron Lyle Story by Candace Toft, available at Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble.

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