Ralph Ellis Tyler

Ralph Ellis Tyler, 95, of Mooresville, NC died January 8, 2016. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, of 46 years, Alice M. Leonard; brother, Leon; sister, Laura Hovencamp; stepson, Franz Main; step-daughter, Virginia Draheim Shreck.

He is survived by son, Jack Tyler and his wife, Mary of Cornelius, NC; granddaughter, Megan Tyler Levine of Greenville, SC; brother, Howard of Zephyrhills, FL; sister, Onale Mente of Athens, GA; stepdaughter, Lois Vorhis of Charleston, SC ; several step grandchildren and their children, nieces and nephews. Special mention is given to Kimberly Vorhis Vandegrift of Yorktown, VA who cared for Ralph after his move from Ithaca, NY to VA.

Ralph grew up in the Ithaca, NY area and graduated from Ithaca High School in 1939. He worked for the Cornell University Rowing Crew before entering the US Army in WW 2. When he returned home he married  Alice Leonard and together they raised their son Jack Tyler. Alice passed away in November 1995. Ralph remained in Ithaca until 2005 when he relocated to Newport News, Virginia where he lived on his own until 2012. He then went to live with his granddaughter Kimberly Vandergrift’s Family. In January 2015 he moved to a facility in Mooresville, NC to be near his son and daughter in law Jack and Mary Tyler.

Ralph loved to work on cars and in his younger years worked both as a mechanic and bodyman at the Ford Dealership. In 1957 Ralph left to work as a machinist for National Cash Register Co. from where he retired in 1982. Ralph loved carpentry work and spent his retirement years helping family and friends with home remodeling projects. Even in his 80’s he loved to make bird houses for friends and neighbors.

Ralph was a great dad and grandfather and will be missed by all his family and friends.

Family and friends may leave condolences at www.raymerfh.com