Mr. Jackie Houston Tyner passed away on Sunday, December 11, 2011 after a courageous battle with cancer. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 am Tuesday December 13 at Central United Methodist Church with the Reverends Jimmy Harrison and Bob Rambo officiating. Burial will be in Magnolia Cemetery with Robert Barham Family Funeral home in charge of arrangements. Jack was born in Hillsboro, Ms. On December 18, 1934 to Leroy and Estelle Houston Tyner. He moved to Meridian in 1953 and graduated from Meridian High School where he lettered in basketball. He served in the US Army for 2 years active service and 4 in active reserve. He was stationed in Fort Sills Oklahoma as a Specialist in the Honest John Rocket Division. He graduated from Mississippi State University with a BS degree in marketing. He enjoyed a successful career with Smith Kline Pharmaceuticals for 32 years, being one of the first five recipients in the company to receive the distinguished Director's Award and earned many other professional awards throughout his career. Jack was a member of Central United Methodist Church, the Shields Sunday School Class and a past Sunday school teacher and the MSU alumni club. Jack dearly loved his family and enjoyed many trips to the beach with them, his real estate investment friends, and golf trips with his golfing buddies. He also loved Mississippi State sports, both attending and watching or listening to all MSU sports. He is survived by his wife of 54 years Gayle Gebhart Tyner, daughter Stephanie Tyner Pierce and four grandchildren: Amanda, Payton, Houston and Stephen Pierce all of Fairhope, AL.; a sister Bobbie Morgan and her husband Chad of Meridian; brothers Larry Tyner and his wife Charlotte of Oxford, Ms and Fred Tyner and his wife Ann of Madison, Ms; bothers in law and sisters in law Dean and Margie Gebhart and Dave and Sally Perkins of Jackson, Ms. and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother in law Smylie Gebhart. The family would like to thank the physicians, nurses and caretakers at Anderson's Hospital, Bedford Care, and Infinity Hospice who were devoted to his care as well as his many physician friends over the years. Visitation will be at Robert Barham Family Funeral Home on Monday December 12 from 5-7pm and 1 hour before the service at the church. Memorials may be made to Central United Methodist Church, the American Cancer Society or a charity of your choice.
