Gerald W. "Jerry" Tyler
September 1937 - August 22, 2009

 

Jerry's conversations most often began with "Have you heard the one about...?" Jerry was famous for always having a joke ready when he met you, called you, or passed on an email. Those calls and jokes will be so missed.

 

Jerry left us to be with our Savior Saturday, August 22, 2009 after a valiant fight with a long-term illness.

 

In 1937, Jerry was born in Port Angeles to Ruby and Philo Tyler. After completing high school he left for the Navy. He soon married his high school sweetheart, Benita Sandberg and they had two sons. Benita preceded him in death in 1993.

 

Jerry's career in sales began as a shoe salesman for Blocks and Nordstrom. He entered real estate at a time when interest rates were in the high teens but, since no one had explained to him that was a bad market, he proceeded to sell, sell, and sell some more. During his successful, nearly 50-year career as a real estate professional, Jerry was an agent, a broker and or owner for many offices, a senior residential appraiser (SRA), and developer, as well as friend and mentor to many agents, and lifelong friend to his client base. Early in his career, he worked alongside his father as they appraised properties for the construction of I-5. Later, he and his partners developed many communities throughout Pierce County.

 

In 1997, he married a longtime friend, Linda Lundquist. They often joked that it was in their pre-nups that she must get her real estate license, and she did, enabling them to work as partners for his remaining years as Jerry and Lin Tyler.

 

Jerry's life was about family and his devotion was unsurpassed. His pride of his sons, his love for his grandchildren, great grandchildren and his sister was the cloth he was made of. He loved to travel, he loved to play and have a good time, he worked continuously, but his family was his motivation.

 

Jerry leaves behind his wife, Lin Tyler, two sons, Mike (Maria) Tyler, Don (Terri) Tyler, step-daughter Jennifer Wilson, step-son, Joe (Cathie) Wilson, 13 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, his sister Joane (Leroy) McKee, and numerous "honorary" children and grandchildren. The family offers undying gratitude to Jerry's caregiver, Debby Perdue, a member of our family forever. We offer our respect and gratitude to Multicare Hospice.

 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Multicare Hospice, 3901 S. Fife, Tacoma, WA 98409. Visitation will be Friday, August 28th from 1 to 8PM. Services will be held at New Tacoma Cemetery, Saturday, August 29th, at 11:30 AM, in the Chambers Creek Chapel.