Steven Little Tyler, age 47, died peacefully in his sleep at home on December 13th, 2012 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Steve was born to Mary L. and James C. Tyler on November 1st, 1965 in Kalamazoo. From a very young age, Steve was passionate about people, friends, and golf. He attended Kalamazoo Public Schools, Barbour Hall, and graduated from Hackett Catholic Central in 1984 where he was a captain on the golf team, and led the Irish to four straight trips to the State Finals. During his youth he also attended Woodcraft Camp (age 10-11) at Culver Summer Schools in Culver, IN, where among many other activities he won a golf championship during his second year. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Kalamazoo and went on many mission trips with Wayne Conner and his youth groups. He also worked in the summer for Jim Roschek at Milham Park Golf Club. Steve attended Colorado State University where he was a member of the golf team, and graduated with a B.A. in Sociology in 1989. Following graduation from Colorado State he traveled in Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji. He returned to Kalamazoo where he started his life in the golf business, which he pursued for 21 years. He started with Jim Scott at Gull Lake View, and then moved to Kalamazoo Country Club, working for Dick Stewart for several years while earning his PGA Class A professional classification in 1993. Steve was the Vice-President of the Michigan PGA Assistant's Association in 1990 and 1991. Steve obtained his first Head PGA position at The Moors Golf Club in Portage, MI in 1993 and served the membership there until 2003. Steve moved to The Prairies in 2004 and then to Milham Park Golf Course as Director of Golf for the Kalamazoo Municipal Golf Association from 2008 until 2011. Steve was named Head Men's Golf Coach at Kalamazoo College in 2004 and remained with the Hornets through the 2011 season. He was very proud to be a PGA Professional and pleased to be able to help and influence young men and women in their lives. He especially enjoyed the summer Kalamazoo Junior Golf Association clinics and working with the boys and girls of the community. Steve served the community in many ways. He was a member of the Kalamazoo Friends of Recreation Board, and also assisted the Big Brothers & Big Sisters and the Boys & Girls Club of Kalamazoo organizations in whatever capacity he could. He loved the Detroit Tigers, Red Wings, and Lions and was a WMU and Kalamazoo College Athletic Booster. Steve was friends with everyone around him, and always put a smile on your face. His smile and positive attitude were contagious, and he had the unique ability to make everyone feel special like a brother or sister. His stories and antics will keep him in the hearts and memories of those around him forever. He felt blessed by his life and was appreciative of his friends, and all of the experiences which he was privileged to enjoy. Steve was preceded in death by his Father, James C. Tyler in 2005. Steve is survived by his Mother, Mary; siblings, Timothy James Tyler (and Helena Lombardi), Sarah (Alan) Tyler Chase, and Toni Lyn Tyler, all of Kalamazoo; Uncle William Tedrow (Fran) Little of Kalamazoo; nephews, Robert James Tyler and Justin Timothy Tyler of Kalamazoo; and niece, Julie Elizabeth Tyler of Chicago; cousins, Virginia Little of Kalamazoo, John and Mathew Tyler, and Amy Davis, all of Colorado. Also surviving are his former wife and devoted friend, Kristen Tyler and her entire Reinholt family; former sister-in-law, Ruth Gust Tyler and her family; and dear friend and caregiver Arnold LaBarre. In lieu of flowers, please direct memorial gifts to the Kalamazoo Community Foundation Junior Golf Fund, Kalamazoo College Men's Golf Team, Colorado State University Foundation Men's Golf Team, West Michigan Cancer Center, or a charity of your choice which benefits others in the community. Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held Monday, December 17th, 1:30 PM, at First Presbyterian Church, 321 West South St in Kalamazoo. Please visit Steve's personalized webpage for on-line guestbook or to leave a condolence.
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Published in Kalamazoo Gazette on December 16, 2012