Tyler Calhoun, III, after fighting the good fight, finished his earthly race on Sunday, July 22, 2012 and has now claimed his crown of righteousness.
Born on February 17, 1950 at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, Tyler was the third son of Billy and Annie Calhoun, an Army family. One of his earliest experiences as an “Army brat” led to his writing a poem this year, “My Promise”, which affirmed his faith in salvation through Jesus.
After graduating from the University of the South in 1972, Tyler went to work with his uncle Kenneth Darby in real estate. Later he went to work with the First National Bank of Florence and then with First Southern Bank, of which he was a vice-president at the time of his death.
One of the signal accomplishments of his life was the reforestation of property in western Lauderdale County. He and his brother Sam and his nephew Will Calhoun planted thousands of trees on 240 acres on which they created 24 acres in deer and turkey plots and fed thousands of songbirds with 17 bird feeders.
Tyler was a very considerate, thoughtful and generous man with many wonderful friends. He studiously avoided doing or saying things that would inconvenience or offend other people. He was vigilant following the rule, “Do Unto Others As You Would Have Them Do Unto You.” Tyler was moreover, a true friend. As a consequence, he had deep and enduring friendships with many people. He was an enthusiastic golfer, playing regularly with four or five friends.
Tyler was a member of the Florence Rotary Club, First United Methodist Church, and served as a board member of The United Way of the Shoals and the Florence-Lauderdale County Port Authority.
His family and friends were with Tyler when he took his final breath. He is survived by his brother Bill and wife Gail; a sister-in-law Mabel; a nephew Will; nieces Elizabeth Lee and Harlan Bagley; great nephews Caleb Bagley, Micah Bagley, Tyler Bagley and John Elijah Lee; great niece Chloe Bagley; first cousins Hallie Darby Smith and Katherine Darby McDonald.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Anne Harlan Calhoun and William R. Calhoun, his brother Sam Harlan Calhoun, his aunt and uncle, Josephine Harlan Darby and Kenneth C. Darby.
The family would like to thank Dr. Kalliath and the Blood and Cancer Center, and the staff on the 6th floor and ICU of ECM Hospital for their kind, caring treatment of Tyler and for the kindnesses and courtesies extended to the family. We rejoice in knowing that Tyler is right now in a better place by far, with other family and friends awaiting his bodily resurrection.
A graveside service will be Wednesday, July 25th at 2:00 p.m. in the Florence Cemetery. The Rev. Sam Hardie will officiate.
Honorary pallbearers will be Stephen R. Armstrong, S. Gregory Beadle, Steven E. Corrigan, James A. Glennon, Charles W. Rasch, Jr., Olin T. Mefford, B. Jack Johnson, Jr., Robert M. Carter, J. Acker Rogers, Richard H. Parker, Jr., Linden Reeder, Roy S. Graves, Kenneth A. Williams, Jr., S. Michael Johnson, and Uhland O. Redd, III.
Tyler’s family suggests that in lieu of flowers or other tokens of condolence that people so inclined make a contribution to Tyler’s church, First United Methodist Church of Florence, or to one of his favorite organizations, the Alabama Wildlife Federation, 3050 Lanark Road, Millbrook, Alabama 36054.
