Martin “Marty” is survived by his sister, Mary Rose Tyra, of San Antonio, TX; his nephews, Matthew Tyra and William Tyra; and his niece, Brittany Tyra, all of San Antonio, TX; several cousins in Texas and his longtime close friend Brett Granlund and his loving family. He is preceded in death by his parents and his brothers.
Martin Tyra was born on December 8, 1954 in Dallas, TX, to parents William D Tyra Jr. and Mary Jane (Stanton) Tyra. He graduated from Highlands High School in 1972. Upon graduating he joined the United States Navy where he served from 1972-1975, two and a half tours, in Southeast Asia with Big Mothers Search and Rescue. He served with the first Marine Recon Battalion in the fall of Saigon in April 1975. He served on the USS Coral Sea in 1972-73 and the USS Midway from 1973-75. He served in the Naval Air Corps as a plane Captain Crew Chief going in and out of combat zones performing search and rescue missions. Martin was the recipient of the Bronze Star for heroism and bravery, the Combat Ribbon, and the Presidential Unit Citation National Defense Medal. He was awarded the Vietnam Service Campaign Humanitarian Medal for saving many lives during the fall of Saigon and the Navy Unit Commendation Medal.
Martin was a great family man, loving son, brother, uncle and cousin.
Marty was a social, active man who was deeply involved with AA and the Seattle Seahawks for 20-plus years of his life. He enjoyed working with new people in Alcoholics Anonymous, attending Seahawk games with his season tickets, taking drives to Cle Elum, Washington to the Weather Station where his Uncle Pat was stationed for many years, and he enjoyed walking around Walmart every couple of days as it was like the gym for him. His family and friends will always remember him as a friend of Bill W. for 21 years, his great sense of humor, his contagious laugh, and his very generous and loving heart.
A memorial service is scheduled for Martin “Big Marty” Tyra on April 28, 2019, at 4:00 p.m. with a potluck reception to follow at The VFW Hall, Yakima, WA. Reverend Greg Spurgeon will officiate. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Marty’s life and his 21 years of sobriety. The Navy Color Guards will be present to pay tribute to Martin with a gun salute, taps and service.
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