CHESAPEAKE — Karl Richard Tyree, 76, of Chesapeake, went to be with the Lord Sunday, Oct.26, 2008, from St. Mary’s Medical Center.
He was born March 1, 1932, in Huntington, W.Va., a son of the late Henry S. and Mola Margaret Tyree Holderby. He was also preceded in death by several special uncles and aunts. He grew up and lived in Chesapeake all his life and graduated from Chesapeake High School. Karl was retired from Columbia Gas with 42 years of service. He was a longtime member of Sybene Independent Missionary Baptist Church where he used his beautiful voice to sing bass in the choir for years. He was a strong Christian man and loved his church family. He loved camping, fishing, gardening and nature including feeding the birds and squirrels at Ritter Park. He especially enjoyed vacationing in the Outer Banks each summer. He was a sports fan and enjoyed attending Marshall University football and basketball games with his family and cheering on the Herd. He was loved by his aunts, cousins, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was a very sweet and devoted husband and loving father and will be missed by his wife of 55 years, Elizabeth Jane Beard Tyree; two daughters, Karla Jane Viglianco and her husband, John, of South Point, and Margaret Ellen Tyree, of Chesapeake. He is also survived by two grandchildren, Leslie and Jason Singer, of Chesapeake. Karl will be missed by all who knew him. His beautiful blue eyes and bright smile will always be remembered. He leaves a void in our hearts that only heaven can fill.
Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Thursday at Beard Mortuary in Huntington, W.Va. with Pastor D.L. Webb officiating. Burial will follow in Highland Memorial Gardens, South Point. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.beardmortuay.com. The family will receive friends from 6-9 p.m. today at the mortuary.