In 1933 they all moved to New Rochelle, New York, a northern suburb of Manhattan with a large community of prestigious illustrators.
They opened a shared art studio at 560 Main Street where they worked to launch their respective careers as freelance illustrators.
Lyon had success selling freelance pulp covers to G-Men Detective, Texas Rangers, Thrilling Adventures, Thrilling Western, and Western Story Magazine.
He eventually found work as an interior story illustrator for the major slick magazines such as Redbook and Cosmopolitan.
He served in the Coast Artillery Corps and Mine Planter Service during World War II.