John Townsend Tyler, Col. USMC (Ret) of Panama City passed away at 82 years old in his home with family and friends on June 9, 2014. John was born in New York City, N.Y. and lived with his sister Wanda, and his parents Al and Ruth, moving to Swarthmore, Pennsylvania for High School where he first met his wife, Alice DeCaindry Tyler. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis in 1955 and married Alice in 1958, a bond surviving 53 years and countless moves and new assignments while serving the Marines, until her passing in 2011.

John is survived by his children, Matthew McClain Tyler and his wife Kerstin and their two children in Germany, and John Benjamin Tyler and his wife Kathy and their four children, in Arizona.

John was a dedicated US Marine, proudly serving over 35 years as a naval aviator and an officer before retiring from active duty in 1985. One of his proudest achievements as an aviator and officer included to be the commanding officer of the VMA-231 squadron deploying AV-8A Harriers from an aircraft carrier.

His family wishes to thank Ray and Virginia Matson as well as the many dear friends and neighbors that welcomed Alice and John to their hearts and homes, and also the members of St. John's Catholic Church, all the health care providers, and the staff of Covenant Hospice for all their love and support. In lieu of flowers it is requested offerings in her memory be sent to Covenant Hospice or The Science and Discovery Center of North West Florida, 308 Airport Road, Panama City.

We will miss you dearly, John. A memorial Mass will be held at St. John's Catholic Church on Saturday July 12th at 10 a.m.