Christina "Tina" Alice Tyler

Christina (Tina) Alice Tyler passed away at home surrounded by loved ones on November 27, 2023. Tina was 97 years of age. She was born to Cornelos Seckapaulas and Ora Hodges Seckapaulas in Daytona Beach, Florida. Her father died when she was under two years old, which resulted in a tumultuous early childhood. She continued to be raised in Florida, ultimately being sealed in the Temple to her foster parents, Robert P. Watson and Mary Elena Jordan Watson. Tina’s name was later legally changed to Watson.

At the end of 1943, a former missionary, Louis Albert Whitaker, who had served in Central Florida for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, returned to Jacksonville, Florida as a Navy pilot. He came to visit the Watsons, and Albert and Tina began dating. Tina traveled west to be married to Albert on June 29, 1944 in the Logan, Utah LDS Temple. After their marriage, Albert was stationed at several naval air stations along the East Coast. Tina, again, traveled West to Albert’s parents’ home in Pocatello, Idaho to wait to see where Albert would next be stationed. Albert was sent aboard the carrier, Bon Homme Richard, to serve in action in the South Pacific. As a war bride, Tina lived with Albert’s parents and worked at Mountain Bell Telephone Company in Pocatello, Idaho. While at work, Tina received a telegram from the War Department advising that Albert was lost in action off the carrier on July 14, 1945, one month before the end of WWII. Albert’s body was never found.

Tina continued living with the Whitaker Family. She accepted a secretarial position for Calvin Hale, who was building Radio Station KEYY in Pocatello. It was there Tina met Raymon Harvey Tyler, who was hired to assist in the electrical construction of the radio station. Raymon and Tina had their first date on New Year’s Eve 1947 at a dance at the LDS Institute. On October 27, 1948, Raymon and Tina were married in the Idaho Falls, Idaho LDS Temple.

Tina attended Link’s School of Business in Pocatello, and worked in several law offices, and probate court. Later, she was hired by Attorney, Louis F. Racine, Jr., as his legal secretary, where she worked for six years. In 1954, Tina and Raymon’s first, and long-awaited, child, Craig Raymon Tyler, was born in Pocatello, Idaho. It was then that Raymon, who was an Airforce B-17 veteran installing radio equipment, began a contract with the US Government as an electronics technician at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, Territory of Alaska. In 1956, Raymon and Tina’s second child, Susan Elena Tyler, was born in Anchorage. The family returned from Alaska to Pocatello about a year later. Tina’s mother was terminally ill, and the family moved to Orlando, Florida to be near her parents. Raymon commuted to Cape Canaveral for work until they eventually returned to Pocatello. Raymon and Tina were married 48 years, until their divorce.

Tina was a proud and intentional wife, mother, and homemaker, who worked very hard before, during, and after her stay-at-home job of raising children. After her children were grown, Tina accepted a job with Teleanswer, soon becoming manager, working there a total of 18 years. Tina worked at the Pineridge Mall administrative offices until she retired at the age of 79, just prior to turning 80. Tina thoroughly enjoyed working in General, County, and other elections as a registrar, clerk, and judge for most of her adult life.

Tina was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints her entire life. Her faith and testimony of the Savior remained firm. She anxiously served in her church callings well into her 80s in the various organizations of the Church, with 31 years as a Young Women’s President of Special Mutual (a program for developmentally-challenged youth over 12 years of age), which was dear to her heart.

Tina was devoted to, and deeply loved, by her family. Her family was most important to her, and she never tired of doing for them. Some of Tina’s most prized treasures are her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Tina loved people in all situations. She enjoyed visiting with anybody, and everybody. She never met a stranger. Because of this, Tina cherished a plethora of friendships.

Christina was preceded in death by her two husbands, parents, many beloved brother- and sister-in-laws and relatives.

She is survived by her son, Craig Tyler of Idaho Falls, ID; daughter, and long-time caregiver, Susan Tyler of Chubbuck, ID; grandchildren, Kristi Tyler Rice (Steven) of Boise, ID; Traci Tyler Murri (Tanner) of Idaho Falls, ID; and Bradley Tyler of Meridian, ID; great grandchildren, Tyler Rice, Kenli Rice, Ezra Murri, and Calvin Murri; and children/grandchildren of her best friend, Barbara Lewis Ballard.

A public viewing will be held on Monday, December 4, 2023, from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at Wilks Funeral Home, 211 W. Chubbuck Road, Chubbuck, ID.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, December 5, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at the Chubbuck Stake Center, 450 James Ave., Chubbuck, ID, with a viewing prior to the services from 10:00-10:45 a.m.

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