John D. Tyre, Jr.

John Davis Tyre, Jr., of Mexico Beach, Florida, died on Sunday, April 21 at home. He was 63. A native of Savannah, Georgia, Mr. Tyre moved to Decatur, Georgia with his family in 1959. He graduated from Toney Elementary School and Southwest DeKalb High School. He attended the University of Georgia and graduated from Georgia State University where he majored in business. Mr. Tyre was a partner in Hoge Associates, an electrical supply company. He joined the firm in 1976 as an outside sales representative. During his more than 37 years with the company, he formed many great friendships with business associates across the country. He is survived by his former wife, Marilyn Lester and their four children: Kelli Lynn Royals Dennis, John Davis Tyre III, Joshua Nicholas Tyre Julie, Marni Elizabeth Daniel Clint; and ten grandchildren. He is also survived by his three sisters, Mrs. Douglas E. Wren Barbara, Mrs. Dennis Berry Kathy and Mrs. Mark Allen Nancy; one brother, Mitchell Tyre and his wife, Debra, and a number of nieces and nephews. A service celebrating his life will be held on Friday, April 26 at 2 p.m. at Wages & Sons, Gwinnett Chapel, 1031 Lawrenceville Highway. Pastor John Tyre Blackburn, Providence Church, Duluth, will officiate at the service. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 on Thursday, April 25 at Wages & Sons. At a later date, graveside services will be held at Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah, Georgia. As he requested, some of John's ashes will be spread in the Gulf of Mexico, where he loved to fish and spent many happy times with his family and friends. In lieu of flowers, memorials should be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation at jdrf.org.