Colen "Sonny" D. Tyre

Colen Daniel “Sonny” Tyre, 82 of Jasper, Florida passed away on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at First Commerce Center for Compassionate Care at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare in Tallahassee, Florida. Born January 15, 1943, in Jasper, Florida, the third of seven sons to Earl Lewis Tyre and Doris Louise Tyre.

Sonny lived a full life as a brother, husband, father, and friend. Growing up between Hamilton & Dade Counties he was able to make many friends and was able to have a lifetime relationship with even distant relatives.

Sonny attended & graduated from South Dade High School in Homestead, Florida in 1961. After high school, Sonny pursued & completed his certification as a lineman in 1963. His career led him to work with Florida Power & Light, City of Cleveland & Sweetwater Tennessee Public Utilities, Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Oak Ridge Tennessee, then settling in Tallahassee, Florida and working as a lineman with City of Tallahassee until his retirement in 2006.

In 1966, Colen married the love of his life, Mary Frances Carberry Tyre. They were married for 56 years until her passing in 2022.

Their marriage included several moves from South Florida to Sweetwater Tennessee, to Tallahassee and life also blessed them with 3 children, Kelly Tyre, Lisa Tyre, and Corey Tyre.

Colen was preceded in death by his parents, his granddaughter Keri Tyre (Jacksonville NC), his daughter Lisa Ann Tyre (Riverside CA), wife Mary Frances Tyre (Tallahassee FL), and brothers Roger “Rod” Tyre (Homestead FL), Robert Tyre (Tellico Plains TN), and Kenneth “Doc” Tyre (Jasper FL).

He is survived by his sons, William “Kelly” Tyre (wife Melinda) of Jacksonville NC, and Corey D. Tyre (wife Dana) of Tallahassee FL, 3 grandchildren, Kristi Tyre of Jacksonville NC, Carson Tyre of Tallahassee FL, and Caleb Tyre Tallahassee FL, 2 great-granddaughters, Summer Rae and Carolina Grace both of Jacksonville NC. Sonny is also survived by 3 brothers, Curtis Tyre (wife Janice) of Havana FL, Carl Tyre (wife Kathy) of Punta Gorda FL, and Paul Tyre (wife Renee) of Homestead FL along with a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins throughout Florida and Tennessee.

Sonny had a passion for motorcycles and was able to experience a cross-country ride with his oldest son, Kelly, last summer. They traveled for 3 weeks and logged more than 8 thousand miles from North Carolina to Washington, California, Nevada, Texas, Louisiana, and beyond.

After losing Mary Frances in 2022, Sonny made the decision to move back to his birth roots in Hamilton County Florida spending the last couple of years reminiscing & enjoying fellowship with many “cousins”.

Strong in his Baptist faith, the family takes comfort in knowing that they will all be reunited one day in Heaven.

The family wishes to send a special note of thanks to Sonny’s niece, Kim Tyre Allen & his sister-in-law, Janice Tyre for their compassion and guidance during this time of illness.

Sonny's funeral will be 11 AM, April 24, 2025, at Culley's MeadowWood Memorial Funeral Home (700 Timberlane Road, Tallahassee, Florida) with burial in the MeadowWood Memorial Park immediately following the service.