Donald Richard Tyson of Tryon died peacefully on Friday, June 1, 2012 at the Hospice of the Carolina Foothills Smith-Phayer House in Landrum. He was 78.
He was born on Aug. 18, 1933 in Pottstown, Pa. during one of the area’s many major floods. The doctor came in a boat to the home of his parents, Eva Beecher Tyson and Wilson Tyson, to deliver the baby. Young Don attended North Coventry High School in North Coventry Township, Chester County, Pa. He later attended Merrimack College, where he earned an associate’s degree.
Don served in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict, earning the National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal and United Nations Service Medal. Following his military service, he embarked on a career in production management, working for Western Electric, Sanders Associates and Computervision.
Don served as a volunteer firefighter in Boxford, Mass. for 18 years. He was a handyman and loved doing projects around the house. He also had an artistic flair for drawing, woodcarving and lettering. His musical tastes tended toward jazz as well as drum and bugle corps competitions (Don’s first date with future wife Rochelle was to such a competition). Following his retirement to Tryon from Hampstead, N.H. in December 1997, he took up golf.
A religious man, Don was active in his church. He was a devoted father and husband and always demonstrated a sincere concern for others. Perhaps his most prominent trait was his sunny disposition and positive attitude. Complaining was not in his nature. When you were with Don Tyson, you couldn’t help smiling; he radiated optimism and positive energy.
Donald Tyson is survived by his wife of 29 years, Rochelle Trahan Tyson; a sister, Margaret Wanger of Pottstown, Pa.; a son, Timothy Tyson (Paula) of Lowell, Mass.; daughters, Jacquelyn Tyson Singleton (John) of Georgetown, Mass. and Kimberly Tyson Dues (Wesley) of Dickinson, Texas; and eight grandchildren.
There will be a mass of Christian burial on Thursday, June 7 at 11 a.m. at Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church in Tryon, followed immediately by an informal lunch and celebration of Don’s life at the Tryon Depot on Pacolet Street.
Memorials may be made to Thermal Belt Outreach Ministry or Hospice of the Carolina Foothills.