Earl McDowell Tyrus, Sr.

Life’s Reflection

Earl was born in 1917 in Jefferson City, Missouri to Mable Stone Turner. 

Earl was raised by his mother and stepfather, John Tyrus, from Arrow Rock, Missouri. His only sibling, a sister named Lillian, born in 1920, passed away around 3 years of age after a sickness. His stepfather and his mother both passed away in December 1974. 

Earl had a very interesting childhood. He loved to be around his Grandmother Sara; he loved to help her in the garden and with the farm animals.  Earl went to Lincoln Boy’s School in Jefferson City.  He worked several jobs in Jefferson City, coming up. His first real job was the Central Dairy; he really enjoyed that job until there was a strike and he crossed the picket line in order to feed his family.  He was threatened and that was when he decided to move to Kansas City, Kansas.  

Earl was exceptionally gifted in telling stories about different events in his life and a crowd would always gather to hear them, even if they had heard them many times before. They kept you laughing. He was an outstanding father, supporter of family members and friends and provided jobs opportunities for all those that needed employment.

Earl and his wife Sarah, enjoyed traveling and traveled extensively throughout the USA and the world.

The devoted Father, Member of the Deacon Board of First Baptist Church of KCK, Earl spent the last of his working years at Bayer Pharmaceutical.  He retired from Bayer in Kansas City, Missouri in 1996, and as a Small Business Owner (of Janitorial Services), Gardener, Farmer, Role model for family, fathers and male youth.

Earl was married to his wife Sarah, and celebrated their 75th Anniversary in 2015.  The lovely couple has nine children.

Earl is survived by, Sarah Caroline Brown Tyrus, Sr. (Wife); Earl McDowell Tyrus, Jr. (Son), Carolyn Irene Tyrus Hobbs (Daughter), Aletha Mae Tyrus Douglas (Daughter), Carmen Marie Tyrus Bass (Daughter), Spencer David Tyrus I (Son), Michael Lawrence Tyrus, Sr. (Son), Philip Edward Tyrus, Sr. (Son), Stanley Kenwood Tyrus (Son), Darryl Matthew Tyrus (Son) and many grandchildren, great grandchildren and great, great grandchildren.

 Service Information