Obituary

Richard Eugene Tyson
(October 1, 1926 - February 28, 2015)

Richard E. Tyson, 88, of Huntington, WV, passed away Saturday, February 28, 2015, in St. Mary’s Medical Center. He was born October 1, 1926 in Parkersburg, WV a son of the late John L. Tyson and Edith Dickson Tyson Helmick. He married Norma Rose Delligatti on October 18, 1952 in Fairmont, WV. In addition to his wife of 62 years, survivors include: a son, David Richard Tyson of Huntington; a daughter, Patricia Tyson Gebhard and her husband, Robert of Pittsburgh, PA; three very special granddaughters and their spouses, Annie and Jeff Massey of St. Augustine, FL, and Laura and Luke Havrilla and Julie and Kelly Robinson, all of Pittsburgh, PA; a sister-in-law, Geneva Tyson of Huntington; and a brother-in-law and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Delligatti, Jr. of Fairmont, WV. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Gerald M. Tyson of Huntington; a sister and her husband, Joyce and Jim Williams of Ravenswood, WV; and a sister-in-law and her husband, Gloria and Peter Magnifica of Grafton, WV. Mr. Tyson went to Elementary Public School in Parkersburg, WV; graduated from Flushing (Ohio) High School in 1944; A.B. Indiana University in 1949; and J.D. West Virginia University in 1952. He was Assistant City Attorney in Huntington from 1953-1954; Municipal Court Judge in Huntington 1957-1963; Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Cabell County, WV in 1969; Commissioner of Accounts, Cabell County 1970-1972 and 1974-1982; Fiduciary Commissioner, Cabell County, 1982 to 2012; and Alternate Delegate at Large, Republication National Convention, Miami Beach, FL in 1972. He was a U.S. Army Air Corps veteran of World War II and was 2nd. Lt., U.S. Air Force Reserves 1949-1953. He served as Special Master, U.S. District Court, Southern District, WV in 1968, Special Commissioner, Circuit Court of Cabell County; Divorce Commissioner, Circuit Court of Cabell County, WV in 1984; Chairman, Board of Review, WV Department of Employment Security from 1985-1988 and General Law Practice until his retirement in 2013. Following graduation from West Virginia University College of Law, June 1952, J.D., associated in general practice of law with the late J.J.N. Quinlan, Esquire, for four years; formed a Partnership with David M. Baker, Esquire and the late William E. Parsons in 1959-1960, under the firm name of Parsons, Baker, and Tyson; associated with the late Joe Hatfield, Esquire, in the general practice of law under the name of Tyson and Hatfield; and later with Charles P. Albright, Esquire, under the name of Tyson, Albright and Hatfield from 1960-1968. He engaged in solo practice of law from 1968 to 1980; formed Partnership with his son, David Richard Tyson in 1981 under the name of TYSON AND TYSON; admitted to practice before U.S. Supreme Court; West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals; U.S. District Court; and State Circuit Courts. He was a Kentucky Colonel; National Secretaries association “Boss of the Year” in 1975; former Secretary and member, Lay Advisory Board at St. Mary’s Hospital; former member, Lay Advisory Board at St. Mary’s Hospital School of Nursing; former trustee, Hospital Service, Inc.; former Director, Boys Club of Huntington; former member of Marshall University Foundation, Inc.; former Citizenship Counselor, Boy Scouts of America; West Virginia Co-Chairman, Lawyers for the Re-election of the President, 1972; Cabell County Co-Chairman, Arch Moore for Governor Campaign, 1968; Republican Candidate, Cabell County, Prosecuting attorney, 1964; Elected Member, Republican Executive Committee, 4th. Congressional District and 5th. Senatorial District, 1978; West Virginia Department Judge Advocate, American Legion, 1957; and member of American Legion for over 54 years; President, Cabell County Young Republicans, 1956; President West Virginia University Young Republicans, 1952; Past President WVU Alumni Association (Huntington Chapter); former Member, Executive Council, West Virginia University Alumni Association, 1981-1986; and former Vice President of West Virginia University Alumni Association; American Society of Hospital Attorneys; Catholic Hospital Attorney Association; American Society of Law and Medicine; President, Cabell County Bar Association, 1967; West Virginia State Bar Association; former President, Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, Indiana University; Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity West Virginia University; Scabbard and Blade Military Honorary Society Indiana University; American Legion Post 16, Huntington; Associate Member, Fraternal Order of Police; Participant, Public Service Television News Commentary Program, 1968; Life Member W.V.U. Alumni Association; and member of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted 11:00 am Wednesday, March 4, 2015, at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, with Father Dean Borgmeyer, Celebrant and Father Paul Yuenger and Father Godwin Olugbami, Co-Celebrants. Readers will be Sister Mary Grace and Sister Diane Bushee. Senator Robert Plymale will have the eulogy. Ushers will be Tony Cavalier and Daryl Ball. Burial will be in Woodmere Memorial Park, Huntington. Pallbearers will be Judge Darrell Pratt, Delegate Doug Reynolds, Neal Bouchillon, Sheriff Tommy McComas, Josh Cottrill, Connor Robertson, Kevin Barry and Greg Howard. Honorary pallbearers will be Gary Bunn and Merton Prunty. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Little Victories Animal Shelter. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 pm Tuesday, March 3, 2015, at Chapman’s Mortuary, Huntington.