James Lee Tyler

James Lee Tyler (“Toby,” “Uncle Jimmy” ) age 75, passed away unexpectedly of natural causes on January 26, 2022. At the time of his passing he was an employee of Michigan State University Landscape Services, assigned to Forest Akers Golf Course.

A life well lived with a big heart and constant cheerfulness, gone too soon, forever missed, always remembered.

Toby was predeceased by his parents Jim and Betty(nee Snyder) Tyler. He is survived by his sister Carol D.Tyler, his only sibling. He is also survived by nephews John M. Haskell (Rebecca),Mark T.Haskell (Tracy), niece Holly L. Haskell and grand nephews Wyatt and Eli Haskell.

Toby was born in Lansing on March 6, 1946. He grew up in a loving household with his parents and sister Carol. The family lived adjacent to Park Lake, an idyllic setting for Toby and Carol to spend their early childhoods which included ice skating on Park Lake in strap-on, double blade skates.

The family was part of the Bath community and fans of the Bath Bees State Championship basketball team of 1960.

Toby then attended Lansing Eastern High School, graduating in the class of 1964. He made many friends at Eastern and won varsity letters as a member of the golf team. Golf would become a lifelong passion for Toby as he played frequently with friends and participated in many golf leagues.

After high school he became a student at Michigan State University and attended the 1966 Rose Bowl.

Toby then courageously joined the United State Marine Corps where he served in a combat zone in the Vietnam War.

After his honorable discharge from the Marines and a brief stopover in California to see friends he returned to Lansing. He bought a Triumph roadster and enjoyed the company of many people and his dogs Hope, More and Abit. He became an accomplished racquetball player at the YMCA and exercised at the Y regularly his entire life.

He found employment at Beggars Banquet. He became a bartender and a leader of the softball team, a team that once defeated a team lead by Magic Johnson. He attended Beggars Banquet Bartenders/ Customers reunions.

After his employment at Beggars Banquet Toby worked at various establishments in the Lansing area as a bartender and cook. His culinary skills became legendary. He cooked frequently for gatherings of his family and of his friends.Toby’s chili, jams and salsas were unsurpassed. He made many friends at the Lansing City Market and Holt Farmers Market where he purchased fruits and vegetables for his jams and salsas which he then generously gave to his family and friends.

His circle of friends included a group composed of many friends he made in high school as well as others and these friendships continued his entire life.

Toby eventually settled in his house on Cavanaugh Road where he became a fixture in his neighborhood. His house was always adorned with flowers with a vegetable garden in the backyard. He was particularly skilled at growing jade plants that brought great charm to his living room. While living on Cavanaugh Rd. he found employment as a mowing machine operator at Wheatfield Valley Golf Course, a dream job for him.

He was a lifelong Spartan fan, a highly knowledgeable fan of the Detroit Tigers and enjoyed the other Detroit teams and a variety of other sports.To top it all off he was a music aficionado.

If any person could say of his or her life “I did it my way” it was Toby. We are all the richer for knowing you dear Toby. May you rest in peace.

Thanks to Toby's USPS letter carrier who astutely requested the welfare check.

Thanks to the VA hospital in Battle Creek for taking such good care of Toby over the years.

Toby’s family and friends are deeply appreciative of the dedication and heartfelt compassion of the Lansing Police Department, Medical Examiner and the staff of Gorsline Runciman in this time of great sadness.

A Tribute to James Lee, "Toby", "Uncle Jimmie", Tyler will be held at noon on Saturday July 9, 2022 at the Banquet Center of the Coral Gable Restaurant in East Lansing.

Donations to help pay for Toby’s final expenses can be mailed to Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home at 900 E. Michigan Avenue, Lansing, MI 48912. A GoFundMe account has also been set up and can be found using this link

https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://gofund.me/c7289244__;!!M2D_dUfSiN4E!aU6AAEG3L3CjUoD-dimHnx6o4HVIYqU7TgNfQJ_xQnFvx9dwchi2gXbgTC07WqPMHM2xAUJUQAk$

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.grlansing.com for the Tyler family.