About our Son, Brother, and Friend

Tyler was born with an incredible gift for loving people just as they were, perfectly imperfect. Some of our family's most memorable memories of Tyler as a toddler were our restaurant outings. We never left an establishment without our sweet boy having made at least two new friends, whether they reciprocated or not. He had a magical way of chatting with strangers as if like they'd known each other forever. Tyler's heart held space for everyone with such grace, acceptance, and love.

What so few saw was Tyler's quiet battles with his mental health. He'd hide his sadness, fears, anxiety, and hopelessness behind that bright smile, a quick joke, or by lifting someone else out of their pain. Sometimes, the hurt came out as anger. A shield to protect himself and us from seeing too deeply. But those who knew him best understood how fiercely he cherished family and friends. He was always there, for a stranger, a buddy, or us, making everyone feel truly valued, accepted, and loved. His laughter filled rooms, drawing people in like a magnet. Ty lived big, always ready for adventure: hunting, fishing, or just being outdoors, where he felt closest to God. He'd come home beaming, story ready: "You'll never guess what happened!" Or “You aren’t going to believe this!”