Tommy Louis Tyrrell, 79, peacefully departed this life on November 20, 2010 at Minden Medical Center.
Mr. Tyrrell was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Elzora Tyrrell, his wife Delma Ingalls Tyrrell, his siblings,
Frank M. Tyrrell, Robert Tyrrell and Emma Hestand, as well as his beloved granddaughter, Kristin Jones.
Those left to cherish his memory include his children Col. Tom Tyrrell Jr., Cheryl Jarrell and Terri Tyrrell; and his grandchildren
Gene Hawkins, Jonathan Tyrrell, Kenneth Tyrrell, Chelsea Wilson and Laura Tyrrell. He also leaves behind a brother, Jerry Tyrrell; a great nephew, Anthony Ingalls; and a dear cousin, Rose Ingalls of Leesville.
A viewing will be held
Sunday, November 21 at 5 p.m. at Laurel Hill Baptist Church in Leesville. Funeral services will be held Monday, November 22 at 1 p.m. at the same location.
Mr. Tyrrell was born March 30, 1931 in Chickasha, Okla. He attended Oklahoma
Baptist University on a track scholarship and received a bachelor’s degree in education. He later received a master’s degree in education from Oklahoma University. Tommy served in the Air Force from 1950 to 1952, during which time he met and married
his wife of 57 years, Mrs. Delma Pearl Ingalls Tyrrell.
As they started their family, Mr. Tyrrell achieved his childhood dream of becoming a high school teacher and coach. He taught history for 10 years in Anadarko, Okla., while coaching
football, basketball and a championship baseball team. After a decade of teaching, he took a job with USAA and remained with the company for over 20 years. He and his wife lived in Oklahoma, Texas and Florida before retiring in Delma’s hometown of
Leesville, in 1987.
Mr. Tyrrell was an active member of Laurel Hill Baptist Church. He also enjoyed playing golf, keeping up with world events, making homemade jams and watching his granddaughter, Chelsea, play sports. He will be
remembered for his sense of humor, strong work ethic, and willingness to help others. His lively personality and optimistic outlook will be missed by all who knew him.
Words of comfort may be expressed to the Tyrrell family at www.labbymemorial.com.