Edward (Ed) Robert Tatyrek returned home to his heavenly resting place on Friday, January 15, 2021. Funeral services will be held at Spring Creek Baptist Church north of Willow, Oklahoma, at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, January 20, 2021, with an interment to follow at Willow Ceemtery. Visitation will be all day on Tuesday, January 19, at Greer Funeral Home in Mangum, Oklahoma. The Tatyrek family will receive friends at Greer Funeral Home between 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM on Tuesday, January 19, 2021. Ed was the eldest son of five children born to Robert Lee Tatyrek and Fannie (Dudek) Tatyrek in Willow, Oklahoma, on April 10, 1928. Ed grew up in Willow on the farm and attended Ocina schools, graduating from high school in 1946. Ed developed an affinity for baseball and was talented enough through his high school years to catch the eye of several professional baseball scouts. Ed entered the United States Army in September 1946 and served in Japan during World War II. After being honorably discharged in 1948, Ed enrolled at Southwestern Oklahoma State College, played baseball, and was offered contracts to play professionally with the St. Louis Cardinals and New York Giants baseball organizations; however, after completing two years of college, Ed had aspirations of serving our country and enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1950. Chief would often tell the story that after his enlistment, he received an offer from Giants Hall of Famer Carl Heubel to try out with the Giants, but had to inform him that he had already signed up! On February 5, 1951, Ed married Georgia Mae Báča of Willow, Oklahoma, in Gulfport, Mississippi. After their marriage, they lived wherever Ed was assigned. Some of the places Ed was assigned during his distinguished career include Keesler AFB Mississippi; Sembach AFB Germany; Griffiss AFB New York; and finally Altus AFB Oklahoma, where he retired in 1978. Ed excelled in the military environment and arose to the rank of Chief Master Sergeant. Ed’s primary area of expertise was electronics—radar systems—where he was a technician, a master instructor, and eventually moved up into managerial roles as First Sergeant, Senior Listed Advisor, and Command Chief Master Sergeant. Ed’s career can best be described as one of hard work, impeccable character, and leadership. After retirement, Ed moved to Duncan, Oklahoma, and worked for Halliburton Services in the Electronics Research and Development Department (ERD) and the photo processing business. Ed was actively involved in coaching youth baseball, was a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason, a Shriner, and a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). Ed was a devoted husband and father and enjoyed spending time with his family and grandchildren. During the last several years, Ed resided at the Lawton/Ft. Sill Veterans Center, where he enjoyed the company of many other military heroes. He never met a stranger! He is preceded in death by his parents Robert and Fannie, brother Charles, and his wife of sixty years, Georgia Mae. Ed is survived by his three children: Gary (Luna) of Vernon, Texas; Michael (Cheryl) of Wichita, Kansas; and Mary Willison of Munday, Texas; five grandchildren: Aaron Tatyrek of Sherman, Texas; Rev. Matthew Tatyrek of Lindsay, Texas, Carlie Willison of Munday, Texas, Allie Willison of Munday, Texas, Connor Willison of Munday, Texas; and three sisters: Marie Cargill (Herb) of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Helen Millington of Sayre, Oklahoma, and Ruth Tatyrek of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you send donations to: Oklahoma Baptist Children's Home 3800 North May Avenue Oklahoma City, Ok 73122 or Lawton/Ft. Sill Veterans Center 501 SE Flower Mound Rd. Lawton, OK 73501