Tyra Lynn Manning

Dr. Tyra Manning, 78, passed away on July 6, 2025 following a 18-year battle with cancer. A lifelong educator, author, adventurer and artist, she dedicated her life to the advancement of others through learning, connecting and sharing stories that showcase our shared humanity. She inspired many thousands of people over the course of her life. She was born June 4, 1947 in Brownfield Texas, the daughter of Clifton Henry Decker and Dorothy Faye (Sexton) Decker. Her parents and brother, Cliff Rodney Decker are deceased.

Tyra was also preceded in death by her husband and soulmate 1st Lt. James Larry Hull, an elite Air Force pilot killed in 1971 while on a secret mission in Laos during the Vietnam War. His remains were not repatriated to the United States until 2006 when he was buried in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors at a ceremony attended by many of Tyra's closest family and community friends. She is survived by her beloved daughter Laura Hull, her sister, Ina Beth Lane, Sister-In-Law Jolene Julian, Brother- In- Law Larry Lane and many nieces and nephews.

Tyra's life was marked by both tragedy and triumph. At an early age, she lost her father, and as a young woman she struggled with substance abuse, mental illness and grief following the tragic death of her husband. But she was tenacious in her work ethic and prevailed over those demons to become a nationally recognized educator, administrator, and mentor.

She received a doctorate degree in educational administration from the University of Kansas, and served as the River Forest, Illinois School District 90 superintendent from 1992 and 2000, where she was a well-known community leader. She was awarded the Excellence in Learning and Leadership Award from Concordia University and named Doctor of Humane Letters Honoris Causa by Dominican University. As an administrator she was a fierce advocate for her teachers, never losing sight of the need for students to be treated with compassion and empathy.

Following her retirement, she embraced a new career as an author, motivational speaker and blogger. Her two books, Where the Water Meets the Sand and Your Turn, were winners of the Independent Book Publisher's (IBPA) Benjamin Franklin Gold Award. Her first book was autobiographical; her second book served as a guidebook for readers to document their own life stories as a means of self-reflection, healing and transformation. She was always an ardent voice about the need to destigmatize mental illness and encouraged those suffering to seek treatment.

Later in life she authored a popular weekly blog that attracted thousands of followers, tackling a wide range of topics including pop culture, art, music, politics and stories about the people who influenced her life, or with whom she connected.

Tyra was fiercely loyal to her West Texan roots and had a uniquely American independent spirit. She had a wicked sense of humor and the uncanny ability to light up a room with her intellect, charm and winning personality. She commanded respect and always treated those around her with dignity, even if she disagreed with them. She was a progressive thinker, always seeking to bring together people of diverse socio-economic backgrounds, races, creeds, and political ideologies under her mantra that the things we share in common as human beings far exceed our differences.

She was an inspiration for our time and will be greatly missed by the many people whose lives she touched and all those who loved her. Her legacy lives on through her books and her encouragements to others to share their own stories about the journeys we share as human beings.

Her final resting place will be Arlington National Cemetery, where she will be reunited with her husband Larry. In lieu of flowers please send memorial gifts to MD Anderson Cancer Center (https://www.mdanderson.org/donors-volunteers/donate/honor-loved-ones.html) or the Veterans Association of America, Inc