Jan Michael Tyler

Jan Michael Tyler lived for 68 years. Esophageal cancer did not get the victory on February 17, 2011; but Christ did when Jan went home to be with his Lord and Savior in his daughter's home in Centennial, Colorado, surrounded by his family as they sang his favorite hymns. Jan was born September 8, 1942 in Portland, Oregon; but lived for 38 years in Southern California where he went to high school and college, joined the army, married his wife, Cheri, raised three daughters and was a member of the San Diego Police Department. In 1980, the Tyler family relocated to Elizabethton, Tennessee, coming home to be near Cheri's family in Siam Valley. Jan and Cheri settled into the community, where Jan served as an Elder and Deacon, as a member of Central Christian Church, Jonesboro, Tennessee, and as a former member of the Elizabethton Masonic Lodge and the Shriner-Jericho Temple. He was devoted to sharing the love of Christ with his co-workers, friends, acquaintances and anyone who gave him an opportunity. Jan was a big kid at heart, always laughing and sharing a funny story. He was never at a loss for words. His patriotism was unmeasured. He loved his country and was very proud of his service in the army and the fact that his daughter, Heather, two sons-in-law and two of his grandchildren had served, or are serving, in the Army, Navy and Air Force. Jan loved John Wayne, spaghetti westerns, reading, history, technology, the San Diego Chargers, the Tennessee Volunteers and Peyton Manning; but nothing took the place of spending time with his eight grandchildren. Most summers, his grandchildren would come to his home from other states to spend time gardening, singing, visiting Bay's Mountain or just sitting around a campfire eating s'mores with their Gaga and PawPaw. Jan will be greatly missed on this earthly home by his wife of 46 years, Cheri Tyler; daughter and son-in-law, Heather and CW4 Jason Smith (Fort Carson, Colorado); daughter and son-in-law, Katherine and Gene Shoun (Centennial, Colorado); daughter and son-in-law, Dawn and Doug Sucheki (Merrit Island, Florida); brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Kathy Tyler (Florida); brother and sister-in-law, Ron and Phyllis Tyler (Hawaii); grandchildren, PFC Robert Landingham (Ft. Campbell, Kentucky), James Landingham (Tallahassee, Florida), Airman 1st Class Amanda Shoun (Langley AFB, Virginia), Alexandra Landingham (Merrit Island, Florida), Katie Scarlett O'Hara Shoun (Centennial, Colorado), Matthew Smith (Ft. Cason, Colorado), Benjamin Smith (Ft. Carson, Colorado), and Zachary Smith (Ft.Carson, Colorado) Jan was preceded in death by both his parents, Maxine Mericantante in 2002, Lowell Tyler in 1992; stepfather, Michael Mericantante in 1988; and his younger brother, Thomas L. Mericantante (South Vietnam 1968). A celebration of life will be held Sunday, February 20, 2011, 2:00 p.m., at Arapahoe Road Baptist Church, 780 East Arapahoe Road, in Centennial, Colorado. The service will be officiated by Pastor Danny Rogers and music provided by Mrs. Diane Westin and Jan's granddaughter, Katie Shoun. Interment will be held Wednesday, February 23, 2011, 2:15 p.m., at Fort Logan National Cemetery - Pavilion ""C"", 3698 South Sheridan Boulevard, in Denver, Colorado. In lieu of flowers, memorials are being suggested in Jan's name to East Tennessee Christian Home, P. O. Box 1147, Elizabethton, Tennessee 37643, www.etnchristianhome.org; or to Esophageal Cancer Education Foundation, P. O. Box 821, Manalapan, New Jersey 07726, www.fightec.org. Please share your memories of Jan and condolences with his family by selecting the ""sign guestbook"" button below.