Visitation:
Saturday, February 18, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
at the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Lincoln
Service:
11 a.m. Saturday at the church
Funeral home:
Peasley Funeral Home, Lincoln
Obituary
Jack Russell Tyrrell was born on July
12, 1949, in Joliet, Illinois to Jack S. and JoAnne
Uhde Tyrrell. Jack lost his brave battle with cancer
on February 2, 2023, in Dallas, Texas with his
loving wife Ronda by his side.
A Memorial Service for Jack will be held on
Saturday, February 18, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at the
Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Lincoln. Pastor
Steve Blaum will officiate. Military Rites will be
conducted at the church immediately following the
service.
A Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the
time of the service at the church on Saturday.
Jack grew up in Peoria. He spent his senior year of
high school in Brussels, Belgium, where he graduated
in 1967. After high school, Jack attended Southern
Illinois University until he was drafted by the
United States Army and honorably served his beloved
country during the Vietnam War.
Jack’s career began at K’s Merchandise. When he
started, there was only one store in downtown
Decatur. He became the Vice President of Operations
and oversaw the initial growth of the company and
would go on to work there for 22 years. Throughout
his career, he mentored many employees who grew into
management roles, growing a strong and successful
team. Jack met Ronda while working at K’s, they
married in 1981.
In 1993, they took a leap of faith and gave up
corporate life for a 56’ sailboat in the Caribbean
named Escapade. Jack successfully earned his Coast
Guard Captain's License to be able to navigate
through the waters of the Caribbean. When the boat
turned into a charter business, they moved full-time
onto the island and started a second career in
retail, but this time “island-style.” With 28 locals
working by their side, all calling him “Papa Jack,”
another successful career blessed his life and
turned into many enjoyable years on the islands.
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In 2001, Jack started his final
career, this time in Phoenix, Arizona. Shortly after
returning to “the real world,” our country was
forever changed by the tragic events of September
11, 2001. At that time, Jack felt a pressing need to
give back to his country and took a job at Homeland
Security. Along with working at the Phoenix Sky
Harbor Airport, he worked with the West Coast
Director overseeing Phoenix to Guam. His favorite
role at TSA was running the K9 program. Jack retired
in 2016.
In 2017, he moved to Dallas to support his wife
Ronda in her career. Jack never shied away from
moving to and learning new places, and his love for
his wife and his son Patrick knew no bounds.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and
JoAnne, and in-laws Ronald Hubbard, David Hubbard,
and Vicky Hubbard.
Those left to cherish precious memories include his
loving spouse of 41 years, Ronda Hubbard Tyrrell of
Dallas; son, Patrick J. Tyrrell of Champaign;
in-laws, Eileen Hubbard, Bart and Cathy Morris,
Kevin and Kimberly Hubbard; along with many nieces,
nephews, and his beloved support dog, CeCe.
The family would like to extend a special thank you
to Dr. Vikas Bhushan of Medical City Dallas, Dr.
Luis E. Fayad of MD Anderson in Houston, Texas, and
the many other doctors and nurses at the various
hospitals who helped Jack live his final year of
life to the fullest.
Memorials may be made to Cumberland Presbyterian
Church of Lincoln.
Peasley Funeral Home is assisting the family with
local arrangements.
Click here to send a note of condolence to the
family of Jack Russell Tyrrell
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