Jack Russell Tyrrell

Jack Russell Tyrrell was born on July 12, 1949, in Joliet, Illinois to Jack S. and JoAnne Uhde Tyrrell. Jack lost his brave battle with cancer on February 2, 2023, in Dallas, Texas with his loving wife Ronda by his side.

Jack grew up in Peoria, Illinois. He spent his senior year of high school in Brussels, Belgium, where he graduated in 1967. After high school, Jack attended Southern Illinois University until he was drafted by the United States Army and honorably served his beloved country during the Vietnam War.

Jack’s career began at K’s Merchandise. When he started, there was only one store in downtown Decatur. He became the Vice President of Operations and oversaw the initial growth of the company and would go on to work there for 22 years. Throughout his career, he mentored many employees who grew into management roles, growing a strong and successful team. Jack met Ronda while working at K’s, they married in 1981.

In 1993, they took a leap of faith and gave up corporate life for a 56’ sailboat in the Caribbean named Escapade. Jack successfully earned his Coast Guard Captain's License to be able to navigate through the waters of the Caribbean. When the boat turned into a charter business, they moved full-time onto the island and started a second career in retail, but this time “island-style.” With 28 locals working by their side, all calling him “Papa Jack,” another successful career blessed his life and turned into many enjoyable years on the islands.

In 2001, Jack started his final career, this time in Phoenix, Arizona. Shortly after returning to “the real world,” our country was forever changed by the tragic events of September 11, 2001. At that time, Jack felt a pressing need to give back to his country and took a job at Homeland Security. Along with working at the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, he worked with the West Coast Director overseeing Phoenix to Guam. His favorite role at TSA was running the K9 program. Jack retired in 2016.

In 2017, he moved to Dallas to support his wife Ronda in her career. Jack never shied away from moving to and learning new places, and his love for his wife and his son Patrick knew no bounds.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and JoAnne, and in-laws Ronald Hubbard, David Hubbard, and Vicky Hubbard.

Those left to cherish precious memories include his loving spouse of 41 years, Ronda (Hubbard) Tyrrell of Dallas; son, Patrick J. Tyrrell of Champaign, Illinois; in-laws, Eileen Hubbard, Bart and Cathy Morris, Kevin and Kimberly Hubbard; along with many nieces, nephews, and his beloved support dog, CeCe.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Vikas Bhushan of Medical City Dallas, Dr. Luis E. Fayad of MD Anderson in Houston, Texas, and the many other doctors and nurses at the various hospitals who helped Jack live his final year of life to the fullest.

In honor of Jack’s memory and in lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to:

Cumberland Presbyterian Church

110 Broadway Street 

Lincoln, IL 62656