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Tyler, Finus Odell (1921-2024)
Tyler, Finus Odel
Obituary
2024
Mr. F.O. Tyler started this epic journey to the age of 100 in Nacogdoches County on April 11, 1921. He was the eldest child of Mr. Benton and Mrs. Pearl Tyler. He later was joined by two brothers and two sisters. One thing that a farm family is very familiar with is hard work and, as the oldest child; Mr. Tyler carried a large portion of the workload. This work often interfered with his thirst for knowledge and education.
Mr. Tyler escaped the farm life by joining the U.S. Army serving with distinction from 1941-1945 in World War II in the 1317th Engineer General Service Regiment making sure that the front line troops were properly supplied with all that they needed to be successful in their military campaign. After his honorable discharge from the US Army, he decided not to return to the harsh farm life but instead enrolled in Prairie View A&M College at the time to pursue his quest for a different life than that of a farmer. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree and later earned a Master’s Degree from Prairie View A & M University as well. It was not all work and no play for Mr. Tyler and, while enjoying his studies in college, he also met and married his first love, Esther Johnson. They were blessed with three biological children, Theadra Cookie Tyler Curry (Sealy), Yvette Mari Tyler (Ft. Worth, TX), and David Ronald Tyler (Grand Prairie, TX). From that union with Esther Tyler, Mr. Tyler was blessed with 6 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. After Esther Tyler tragically passed away, Mr. Tyler later married L. E. Sadler and added an addition 3 step-children to his growing family. After L.E. Tyler passed away, he married Jo Evelyn Owens, who he is happily married to today, and added an additional 4 step-children to his family. After graduating Mr. Tyler moved his family to Bellville, TX and took a job as the first Black Austin County Extension Agent. During his two-year tenure there they won the Texas State Swine Show with the 4-H Program. He later moved his family to Sealy and was hired as a Coach, Vocational Agriculture Teacher, Bus driver, and Mentor at the Austin County Colored School. This school had a broad base of students which included the colored youth from Wallis, Sealy, and Bellville. When the schools were integrated, he was one of the first black teachers that was selected to move to Sealy High School as a Vocational Agriculture Teacher. He taught Agriculture for 34 years teaching and mentoring young men for life’s challenges. One of his greatest achievements during his teaching career was sponsoring the NFHA Livestock Show and winning the Texas Leadership Contest. Mr. Tyler was a very active member of Bethel Baptist Church of Sealy. He served as Superintendent of Sunday School for 55 consecutive years before retiring in 2007. He was the Chairman of the Deacon Board, a position he has held for quite some time as well. In addition to loving teaching, his church, his community, his family and loving all children he had not slowed down much on his activities. He had served in numerous organizations and committees during the 36 years the he has been “retired” from working in the school system. His love and dedication to the city that he now calls home has been evident. Some other accomplishments that he has achieved in his community are: He was the first black man to serve on the Sealy Planning Commission which he served for 25 years He served on the Sealy Library Board for five years helping to establishing the first city library, later named the Gordon Library. Mr. Tyler served as a member of the Board of Directors for (RAP) Raising Academic Performance and mentoring junior high and high school children. Mr. Tyler was one of the first black men chosen to be the Grand Marshall of the Austin County Fair Parade and Livestock Show which he had the pleasure to serve in 2013. Mr. Tyler was a member of the Eastside Foundation and the Prairie View Alumni Association where he received the Texas Teacher Training Award as well as the Outstanding Teaching Award during his teaching career. Mr. Tyler also served on the first Board and is still an active Board Member of the Helping One Another (HOA) Meals On Wheels Inc. of Austin County. Mr. Tyler is still serving and giving of his time by helping others and being a beacon light of wisdom for Austin County. Mr. Tyler believes in GOD, education and the love of his family and for all mankind. He never met a stranger and says that he knows that the lives that he has touched has made him be a better complete servant of mankind. He hopes that something that he said or did will enhance the lives of others so that they can the pass the wisdom on from generation to generation. If you passed his house; he would be sitting on the porch looking for you to blow your horn so he could gladly wave at you. Mr. Tyler was only 102 years old but closer to 103. Who know what the future holds? But for Finus Odell Tyler, he has completed his GOD given assignment. |
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Tyler
Finus Odel
5991
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