John Malcolm Tyson

Senator John Malcolm Tyson, CDR U.S.N., Ret., age 91 longtime resident of Mobile, AL passed away on Monday, November 7, 2016, surrounded by his loving family. He is preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Grace Harris Durant Tyson, daughter Mary Mighell Tyson Duffy, and granddaughter Holly, parents, James Jordan and Myrtice McCaskill Tyson and sister, Mary Tyson Lear. Mr. Tyson was a longtime member of Government Street Presbyterian Church where he served as deacon, elder and taught men’s bible class. Senator Tyson was a graduate of the University of Alabama with a BA in Political Science and served as president of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. He graduated from the University of Alabama Law School in 1955. Mr. Tyson served his country honorably in the United States Navy during WWII and the Korean War as a combat pilot. He remained in the Naval Reserves as a pilot and as Judge Advocate General for over 40 years, retiring at the rank of Commander. He was State Commander of the American Legion and the Commander of Post 3. He was an Emeritus Member and Past Chairman for the U.S.S. Alabama Battleship Commission. He was a member of the Reserve Officers Association and the 2001 Veteran of the Year. Senator Tyson was a member of the Alabama House of Representatives. As Alabama State Senator, he sponsored the legislation and was one of the founders of the University of South Alabama. He served as Member of the Board of Trustees for over 10 years. As Senator, he was the chief sponsor of the legislation to bring the U.S.S. Alabama Battleship to Mobile as a war memorial. Mr. Tyson served as Municipal Judge for Bayou la Batre, Citronelle and Wilmer. He was City Attorney for Dauphin Island and Bayou la Batre. He was 1997 Mobilian of the Year. He fought tirelessly for the Veteran’s Cemetery and a VA Level One hospital for the Gulf Coast. Mr. Tyson was a member of Mobile Masonic Lodge 40, J.H. McCormick Lodge, Scottish Rite of Freemasonry – 33rd degree Mason, Mobile York Rite Masonic Body and Al Hassan Grotto. He was potentate of the Abba Temple Shrine, Illustrious Noble Imperial and Shrine Imperial Council member. Mr. Tyson was a member of the Alabama Bar Association and the Mobile Bar Association, Elks Lodge, VFW, and West Mobile Rotary Club. Mr. Tyson was truly committed to public service throughout the community and the State of Alabama. Mr. Tyson’s family will remember their father for his guidance, love and dedication to them. He will be greatly missed by all. He is survived by his children; John M. Tyson, Jr. (Elizabeth K.), William J. Tyson (Debra O.), Richard M. Tyson (Tracy K.), Grace D. Tyson, Robert C. Tyson (Kimberly C.), Adrian M. Tyson (Paulette P.) and Elizabeth Tyson Ray (H. Paul). He is also survived by his brother, James Jordan Tyson, Jr., U.S.N, Ret., fourteen grandchildren; K. Elizabeth Tyson, Jeanne C. Tyson, Ashley Tyson Johnson (Peter), Emily M. Tyson, William Tyson, Jr. (Alexandria), Maggie Lee Tyson, Grace Durant Castronova, Johnathan G. Bankston, Robert C. Tyson, Jr. (Heather), Angelica L. Tyson, John Price Tyson (Caitlin), John Ashton Moore, Harry Paul Ray, Jr. and Hunter Tyson Ray; seven great-grandchildren; Lillian, Henry and Margaret Johnson, Grace Cecilia Castronova, Alivea and Paisli Tyson, John Fisher Tyson; adopted Russian children; Alex, Tim, Liana, Katya, Nadia, Dasha, Misha, Arkady, Maryna, Natasha, Vlad, Lena and others around the world. The family expresses a special thank you with love to Marilyn Koen, Felecia Johnson and Emily Bowie. Memorial donations may be offered to the Parkinson’s Research Foundation, Abba Shrine Transportation Fund, 7701 Hitt Rd., Mobile, Al 36695, The University of South Alabama Scholarship Fund and Government Street Presbyterian Church. Visitation will be held Sunday, November 13, 2016 from 4:00pm to 8:00pm at Radney Funeral Home on Dauphin Street. Visitation will also be held Monday, November 14, 2016 from 9:00am to 11:00am at Government Street Presbyterian Church with service immediately following at 11:00am. Graveside services will be held at Magnolia Cemetery. Condolences may be offered at www.radneyfuneralhome-mobile.com.