James M. Tyson

James Micheal Tyson of 22 Scottsdale Ct Columbia SC was born of the union of late James Webster Lee Tyson and Annie Bell Williams Tyson.

Micheal graduated from SpringHill High School Class of 78, Webster Parish La. He was affectionately known as “Pink” (Pink Panther) by his lifelong friends. After graduating from high school, Micheal joined the United States Army. He served as a military police and combat engineer. He was stationed in Korea, Ft Knox Ky, Panama, Ft Ord Ca, Wildflecken Germany, and Ft Lewis WA. Micheal was a Desert Storm Veteran, campaigning in Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Kuwait. His decorations and medals include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal with 3 bronze service stars and the Kuwait Liberation Medal. Micheal completed numerous training courses but was exceptionally proud of completing the Sapper Leader Course and Air assault, which he finished on two bad knees with young men years his junior.  He loved the Army and comradery but considered himself an accidental retiree. Michael traveled the world as a young man, each time re-enlisting at the last moment to move to the next adventure. He was a soldier’s soldier. Always training, working, and running with his soldiers.  After 20 years, he retired from the Army. He was eternally grateful and proud of his time in service and was quick to remind anyone that listened, “Everyone can’t carry the rucksack of an Army soldier.”

In what he called his second life, Micheal worked as a truck driver and a corrections officer. He then returned to the Army as a security officer on Ft Jackson SC.  Officer Tyson was known to talk stuff to everyone who came through the gates of the fort from janitors to the Commanding Generals and their wives. All loved him and took his humor to heart.  He was particularly hard on anyone who had an NFL tag or logo that was not the Dallas Cowboys.

This brings us to his #1 pastime, hobby, mistress, and obsession, The Dallas Cowboys. Micheal knew all players, plays, coaches, and the water boy. He watched every game on Sundays and could be heard clapping wildly when a good play was executed and complaining loudly if he thought the call was unfair to “his team.” Everyone understood in his household that Daddy was lost on any day that Dallas played from pre-season to February.  All winning games must be watched twice for enjoyment and followed on Mondays with trash talk.

Micheal is survived by his wife of 28 years, Sherri Kennedy-Tyson; son, James Micheal Tyson Jr.; daughter Logan Kennedy Tyson; mother Ms. Annie Bell Tyson of Cullen, LA;  sisters, Mary Virginia Tyson of Cullen, LA, Sherrie Lynn Tyson of Houston, TX, Catausha “Pat” Tyson of Torrance, CA, and he was predeceased by his sister Alice Marie “Ree Ree” Tyson. He also leaves his aunts, Louella Livingston of Shreveport, LA, and Doris Valentine of Springhill, LA; uncles, JD “Billy” Williams and Uncle Ead Tyson of Cullen, LA; and special cousin and fellow sports fanatic Jackie Livingston Allen of Atlanta GA.

After Michael’s retirement and his move to SC, he made his wife’s family his second family, including his mother-in-law, Ruby N. Irby; sisters-in-law, Yolanda(Joe) Simpson and Margaret Irby; and brothers-in-law, Jacob Irby Jr and Lockey Irby (Natosha)---All Dallas fans.

He had numerous nieces and nephews that he adored. As the grand nieces and nephews came along, he was fun of giving them nicknames like Suga, BugEye, Itchy and Scratchy, and Froggy Bottom.

Micheal was a man of strong opinion and even stronger action. He would help friends as well as strangers.  He had a deep and abiding love for his wife and children. He was the parent that would get on the floor with his children and play. He suffered an eye injury, numerous kicks to his “army knees,” and other regions only to return to the floor to wrestle and go to tea parties with imaginary friends.  Till the day of his passing, he would still play with his kids. They are laughing and telling him, “Daddy, we are too old.” Micheal was best known for his sense of humor. His smile was infectious, and his ability to turn any situation around with his positive attitude. True to his Louisiana roots, he loved to cook and eat his fish on Fridays. On Fancy Fridays, he might add some frog legs, crawfish, calamari, and even gator tail.

In Remembrance of Micheal, his family asks that you smile more, help someone out just because, watch over family, and when you have a good laugh, think Micheal would have liked that.

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