John "Johnny" Thurman Tyler Jr.
of Conway, AR
May 3, 1949 - September 19, 2024
John Thurman (Johnny) Tyler, Jr., 75, of Conway entered into the eternal presence of his Lord and Savior on September 19, 2024. After a long battle with Multiple Myeloma, he passed away at home surrounded by his family. He was born on May 3, 1949 in Conway, AR to John Thurman, Sr. and Emma Lou Starkey Tyler. While growing up in Conway he loved playing YBMA and American Legion Baseball.
Johnny graduated from Conway High School in 1967. While in high school, he was a member of the 1964 Wampus Cat Football State Championship Team. He was also the starting quarterback for the Wampus Cats from 1966-1967. He then attended the State College of Arkansas (now the University of Central Arkansas). He lettered in football and baseball for the Bears from 1968-1970. He, at one time, held the record for the longest interception return for the Bears. He always took pride in being one of Raymond's boys. While in college, he met and married his wife, Elizabeth Tackett Tyler on August 14, 1970 at First Baptist Church in Conway, where he was a lifelong member until he had recently joined Woodland Heights Baptist Church.
Johnny worked in the Conway Public School District for 33 years and retired after serving as the principal at Conway High School for 14 years. While principal, he was President of the 5A Principals' Association and served on the Arkansas Activities Association Board of Directors. He is also a retired Sgt. Major of the 122nd Army Reserve Command where he served as the President of the NCO Training Counsel for the 5th Army. After retirement, he loved spending time with his family, scuba diving or house boating on Lake Ouachita. He always looked forward to his yearly pilgrimage to St. Louis with his brother, Tom, to watch the Cardinals play. He attended Bible Study Fellowship where he was a class leader and enjoyed his men's fellowship group. He also took up golf and loved spending time on the course with his golf buddies every day. One of his favorite pastimes was drinking coffee and solving all of the world's problems and sometimes trying to create problems with his ''Nutter's Chapel Coffee Group''.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Dr. Thomas P. Tyler and his favorite Welsh Terrier companion, Jett. He is survived by his wife, Liz; his children, John Thurman (Trey) Tyler, III (Patti) of Conway, Arkansas, Kristen M. Cannon (Matthew) of Simpsonville, South Carolina and Clinton M. Tyler (Sara) of Conway, Arkansas; grandchildren, Kayla Tyler Foster (Cody), John Thurman (Beau) Tyler, IV, Axel Tyler, Allie Burns (Matthew), Anna Cannon, Cate Cannon, Brody Tyler, Anna Kate Simco, Hayden Simco, Ridge Tyler and Maggie Simco; his sister, Kaye Tyler Mimms (Jerry) of Conway, AR; his sister-in-law, Linda Chilton Tyler of Russellville, AR; his brother-in-laws, William Tackett (Linda) of Senoia, GA and David Tackett of North Little Rock, AR; nieces and nephews; many former colleagues and friends; his new Welsh Terrier buddy, Mack. He was the best husband, daddy and ''Pops'' that we could have ever been blessed to have in our lives.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 24, 2024 from 6-8pm at Roller McNutt Funeral Home in Conway, AR. Funeral Services will be at 10am on Wednesday, September 25, 2024 at Woodland Heights Baptist Church, 4215 Prince St. in Conway.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you send a donation to the Winthrop Rockefeller Cancer Institute, UAMS Myeloma Center, 449 Jack Stephens Dr., Little Rock, AR 72205.
His online guestbook and obituary are available at: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com
Visitation
|
Service
|
||||
Cemetery/Interment
|
Memorial Contributions
|
Obituary Provided By:
Roller-McNutt Funeral Home
650 Central Landing Blvd.
Conway, AR 72032
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com