Tye, Joe B. (1926-2015)

TYE, BOWEN, MURRAY, TANK

Posted By: C Tucker (email)
Date: 10/12/2015 at 12:55:48

Porter Loring Mortuary
San Antonio, TX
On-Line Obituaries

Joe B. Tye, Jr., died with great dignity and grace on Sunday, March 1, 2015, with his family and friends gathered by his bedside. Colonel Tye was born in Marshalltown, Iowa on March 19, 1926. He grew up surrounded by verdant fields and white clapboard farm houses. He left Iowa to attend the United States Military Academy, and graduated in 1949. That summer, he married his soul mate, Janelle Fox Bowen, and began his career as a commissioned officer in the United States Air Force. The couple enjoyed a peripatetic military life, with assignments in Florida, Texas, Colorado, California, Nebraska, and Germany, among others. He also served in Vietnam. During his 25-year career, Colonel Tye attended the Air Force Command and Staff College (where he earned a Master’s Degree) and the Naval War College. His awards include the Bronze Star, Legion of Merit, and the Joint Services Commendation Medals. Upon retiring, he pursued his second career as an artist. Drawing upon his Iowa roots and his love for his adopted city of San Antonio, he became recognized as a realist artist of Midwest scenes and local landmarks. He received a number of regional awards; his works were featured at the Odyssey Gallery, Sol Del Rio, and Cappy’s on Broadway. He enjoyed gardening and good music. For over thirty years, he was a member of a fearsome tennis foursome who played regularly on Sunday mornings; and for twenty years, he served as a board member of the Martha Ellen Tye Foundation. He is survived by his beloved wife, Janelle; four children: Joe B. Tye III (Sally), Steven (Jackie), Nancy Tye-Murray (David) and Allen (Karla) and seven grandchildren: Annie and Doug Tye, Shane, Erin and Jessica Tye, and Ellen and Aubrey Murray. He was preceded in death by his sister, Avonelle Tank and his parents, Joe B. and Mina Tye. He was a remarkable and cherished husband, father, grandfather, and friend. The family is indebted to the healthcare staff at the Army Residence Community and Heart-to-Heart Hospice for their tender-loving care. A memorial service will be held in the chapel of the Army Residence Community on Monday, March 16th at 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wounded Warriors, 12672 Silicon Dr., Suite 105, San Antonio, TX 78249 or the San Antonio Symphony, P. O. Box 658, San Antonio, TX 78294 www.sasymphony.org