Mr. James “Jim” Richard Tyler, age 99, of Atlantic, IA, passed away on Thursday, March 14, 2024, at Heritage House in Atlantic, IA.
James (Jim) Richard Tyler was born in Iowa City, Iowa, on August 3, 1924, and adopted by Harry and Lois Tyler. After graduating from Villisca High School in 1942, Jim enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps on December 11, 1942, and served until his discharge on November 28, 1945. He was a proud military veteran of the 15th Air Force, 14th Fighter Group, and 48th Fighter Squadron and served as a P-38 Fighter pilot.
Jim then entered Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa, from 1946 to 1949, with a degree in Business Administration. On June 1, 1947, Jim married Dorothy “Dottie” Henderickson; together, they had five children: Amy, Jayne, Lu Ann, Kirk, and Sue. In 1949, they moved to the Atlantic to work for the Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company family business. Jim was very active in growing the company his grandfather started in 1909, which was one of his passions. He served on numerous state and national industry boards, serving the industry with distinction. He also served on the Iowa State Board of Regents.
Jim enjoyed traveling in his motor coach, cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes, and many social activities with family and friends.
Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy, and daughter, Amy Jo Deardorff, a sister, Joyce Tyler.
He is survived by daughters Jayne Tyler, Lu Ann (Bob), Roby, Sue (David), Rawlins, and son Kirk (Janel); son-in-law John Deardorff; ten grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.
Public visitation with the family will be held on Monday, March 18, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Atlantic.
Funeral service will held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Atlantic, IA, with Rev. Lauri Boysen officiating the service. Private interment will take place at Atlantic Cemetery. A reception will be held following the Atlantic Golf & Country Club funeral service.
Instead of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Tyler Family in memory of Jim. They will be designated to many of Jim’s local organizations and charities. They may be mailed to the Schmidt Family Funeral Home P.O. Box 523, Atlantic, IA 50022.
Funeral arrangements are handled with the Schmidt Family Funeral Home of Atlantic, IA.
