In loving memory of
John “Catfish” Tyler

• Passed away on September 29, 2022

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John R. “Catfish” Tyler, 87 yrs old, of Titusville FL, died 29 September 2022 at Halifax Hospital in Daytona Beach, FL.

John–or Raymond, as his immediate family called him, was the first-born of 10 children.

In his senior year of high school, Raymond joined the Navy and was honorably discharged after serving 8 years. He served during the conflict and peace period of the Korean War.  One of his favorite assignments was being stationed in Japan where he was for 5 years. He flew with a crew on what was called a “Round Robin”; that is, they regularly flew on missions from Japan, to Alaska, to Hawaii.  Raymond had a great love for his country and the freedoms and privileges it offers its citizens.

After the Navy, Raymond worked a few jobs until he gained employment with EG&G Space Program at Cape Canerval FL, where he worked for 18+ years…until his retirement.  He led the Quality Control Contractor team in inspecting building standards, etc.  During this time, he received several awards, including one for Solid Rocket Motot X-ray Facility design and construction at JF Kennedy Space Center.  Also he won an award for NASA Spacecraft Assembly & Encapsulation Facility Modification & Validation. 
Raymond was well respected for his enforcement of strict work standards.  He made many friends who followed him into his retirement as catfish and turtle fishing buddies.  He got his nickname “Catfish” by catching the largest catfish in a tournament  with his friend Fred Taylor in St Johns River, thus becoming “Catfish John” to his many friends.  He enjoyed hunting as well.

He was a boy, then man that never lost his love for the outdoors, whether hunting, fishing, reading a good book, or being with family & friends.  Raymond came to love the lord later in life and liked to talk about his beliefs to everyone. 

Many men walk this earth; very few are unique. “Catfish John” was unique. He was a loving son, brother, & friend. He will be missed by all.

John R. Tyler was preceded in death by his mother & dad, Lily M. (Drinkard) Tyler and Clarence R. Tyler; 2 brothers Larry F. and Thomas M. Tyler; 3 sisters Wanda M. Tyler, M. Ann (Tyler) Goforth, & Alice V. (Tyler) Wood.
Survivors include sisters Laura E. (Bill) Spencer & Julie M. (Jim) Messick; brothers Scott (Mollie) Tyler, & Will Tyler; brother-in-law Ernie Goforth & sister-in-law Mary (Tyler) Wood; numerous nieces & nephews, grand nieces & nephews; and great grands.

A service from Baldwin Brothers Funeral Home chapel (2400 South Washington Ave(AKA US 1), Titusville 32780) will be held on Tuesday October 11, 2022 will bat 11:00AM. Visitation will be  1 hour prior to the service.  Burial will follow in LaGrange Cemetery in Titusville (1661 Old Dixie Hwy, Titusville 32796).