Revis Dexter Tyler Jr.

Revis Dexter (R.D.) Tyler, Junior
San Angelo
After a vigorous and accomplished 98 years, Revis Dexter (R.D.) Tyler, Jr. of San Angelo, Texas, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 7th, 2012, with his loving wife of 68 years, Earlene Day Tyler, by his side. Services will be at Johnson's Funeral Home, Monday, March 12, 2012, at 10:00 am, with burial at Rose Hill Cemetery in Merkel Texas, at 3:00 p.m. in the afternoon.
R.D. began his adventurous life in Merkel, Texas, on December 29, 1913, born to Sudie Mae Roberts Tyler and Revis Dexter (Dex) Tyler, Senior. R.D's older sister was Maureen and his younger brother was Claude making R.D. the first son and second child of three. R.D. experienced both world wars, the 1919 Flu Pandemic, and the great depression first hand as his father worked as paint contractor, and builder in many central and west Texas towns. He graduated from Abilene High School in 1932, and Abilene Christian College before it was ACU. He sold Bibles in the summer in West Virginia to pay for tuition for college and worked at ACU as a chemistry instructor. He met Earlene Day and her sister Vivian when they were students at ACC and he taught Chemistry. With the inevitable fighting in WWII near, R.D. learned to fly and taught basic flight training at Tinker Air Force Base Depot in Oklahoma. While on a trip to Fort Worth, R.D. and Earlene, bump into each other and reconnect in 1943. Earlene was training for the Women's Air Corp and about to fly away, when R.D. decided to stay another night in Fort Worth to take her on their first date. Six weeks later they married in a family wedding at the home of her parents in Brownwood, Texas. December 16 , 1943, was always their special day. By 1946, R.D. was an Aviation Representative for Humble (later Exxon) Oil and Refining Company, when they had their first son, Revis Dexter Tyler III, in Abilene. Their second son, Dr. Earl Day Tyler, was born in 1950 in Ranger, Texas. R.D. continued to advance in his career with Exxon, and retired as the Division Manager for Marketing (Tires, Batteries, and Accessories) in Midland. Earlene and R.D. retired to San Angelo in 1965, where R.D. became Area Manager for Marshall Fields Educational Corporation, the producers of The World Book Encyclopedia. He called on schools and libraries around West Texas for 15 years.
R.D. was an avid golfer, hunter and fisherman all his life. He was a devoted father, husband, and grandfather. He was an elder for many years at Johnson Street Church of Christ, and a longtime supporter of Abliene Christian University, as a member of the President's Circle, and sponsoring an annual scholarship. He traveled extensively and was head of the Exxon Annuitants Club in San Angelo for years. With his grandson, Hamilton Day, he always enjoyed teaching games like dominoes, share his interests in the stock market, and the joy of shooting. He just recently spend hours helping Hanlyn O'Reen with her school project on education in the 1930s.
R.D. is survived by his wife, Earlene, their two sons, and daughter-in-laws, Revis D. Tyler III, and his wife, Dr. Norma Smith-Tyler; Dr. Earl Day Tyler and his wife Jeanell. He also is survived by a grandson, Hamilton Day Tyler, and granddaughter, Hanlyn O'Reen Tyler, of Fair Oaks Ranch, Texas, and four special step children and seven precious step great-grandchildren.
R.D. was energetic, gregarious, and intelligent, as he was always a caring contributor to his family, church, and community. His zeal and zest for life will be missed by all who knew him.
Family and friends may sign an online register book at www.johnsons-funeralhome.com