John Thomas Tyson

John Thomas Tyson, age 93, died Saturday, May 2, 2015. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Monday, May 4, 2015 at First Baptist Church, with Reverend Scott Dickison officiating. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery. The family will greet friends Sunday, from 4:00 Pm until 6:00 PM at Hart's at the Cupola, 6324 Peake Road. Donations may be made to First Baptist Church, 511 High Place, Macon, Georgia 31201. Mr. Tyson was born December 24, 1921 to Robert Moses Tyson and Lila Maybell Shurling Tyson in Harrison, (Washington County) Georgia. He graduated from Harrison High School in 1939 and worked on the family farm until drafted into the Army on September 1, 1942. He was in the Army for 3 ½ years, serving 2 years in the South Pacific in the Admiralty Islands. He was discharged on December 8, 1946, joined the Army Reserves for 3 years, the National Guard for 15 years, and the Army reserves for another 15 years. Altogether, Mr. Tyson served 39 consecutive years before retiring from the service on December 24, 1981. Mr. Tyson graduated from Georgia/Alabama Business College in 1947 and was in the truck business for 43 years, working for Thornton Motor Company, Cole GMC, and LJL before retiring in 1989. He then worked for 22 years as a bailiff with the Bibb County Sheriff's office. Mr. Tyson was a member of the Marshall A. Weir Masonic Lodge #2255 and a member of Scottish Rite, over 50 years with each. Having married at First Baptist Church in 1946, he joined the Church in 1947 and was a member of the Baracha Chapman Sunday School Class. He was an avid golfer and gardener. Mr. Tyson was predeceased by his brothers, Grady Tyson and Fred Tyson, and his sister Nellie Boyd. Mr. Tyson is survived by his wife, Myrtle Giddens Tyson of Macon; son, Tee Tyson (Susan) of Macon; daughter, Teena Tyson Ivie (Michael) of Brooks, Georgia; eight grandchildren, Terri Lynn Tyson, John Lewis, Richard Lewis, Christina Lewis , Christopher Lewis, Mallory Ivie Arnold (Kyle), Mollie Ivie, and Judson Ivie; one great grandchild, Levi Arnold; sisters, Ellen Penrod (Allan), Eva Dell Everett (Ostell), and Patsy Davis. Register online at www.hartsmort.com. Hart's Mortuary at the Cupola has charge of arrangements.