Walter Thomas Tyson’s journey in this earthly life began in a East Texas town in Marion County Texas, on August 13, 1936. Walter, affectionately known as “Big Red” or “W.T.” was the eight child of thirteen born to Elaska “Hoot” Tyson and Essie Mae Waites Tyson.

Big Red worked the family farm along with eleven of his twelve siblings before working odd jobs in the oil fields of East Texas and Western Louisiana. In 1957 at the age of twenty-one Big Red enlisted in the United States Army and after basic training he was stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina where he became a member of America’s Guard of Honor, the renowned, 82nd Airborne Division of the United States Army.

After being discharged from the Army in 1962 Big Red made California home for a couple years, and there he worked for Dupont, a chemical plant in Hayward, California. In true typical Tyson fashion Big Red became what he referred to as the “Top Dog”, and as he put it, he probably would have stayed there had management not asked him to train new hires without increasing his pay. This was a good thing, Big Red then join his brothers, Leon, L.C., McArthur, William, Jene and Forest, Sr. who all had found their way to Liberty, Missouri after leaving East Texas, and it was in Liberty, Missouri where the original Tyson Brothers Construction Company was established.

This year (2023) marks the 70th year the Tyson Brothers have been in the construction industry. In those 70 years the Tyson Boys have made the Tyson name synonymous with roadwork construction in the greater Kansas City, Missouri metropolitan area.

Big Red, an Ordained Minister was an Associate Minister of the Rising Star MBC, Trinity MBC, Truelove MBC, Spirit of Truth MBC and Cornerstone MBC, he also pastored his hometown church, the Aberdeen Missionary Baptist Church in Cass County, Bivins, Texas for a number of years.

If you crossed paths with Big Red, you would soon discover that he was an avid fisherman. It didn’t matter if he fished the riverbank or from a boat, fish just seemed to jump on his line, and lifelong friend James (Jim) Goza can attest to that. We all take comfort in knowing that as soon as his transition was complete and after being reunited with family and friends, his next order of business would be to find the perfect fishing spot.

Big Red was preceding in death by his parents Elaska and Essie Mae Tyson; brothers: Leon “Pokie”; Lewis “LC”; Dallart “Moose”; William “Blackie”; and Douglas “Big Smoke” Tyson. Sisters: Amber Lee; Linnie Mae; Voriece; and Gloria Jean.

Big Red leaves to cherish his precious memory his beautiful and devoted wife of thirty-one years (31) Maudry Thompson Tyson, who took great care of him, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, Maudry loved and cherished him until through death they parted.

Big Red also leaves behind a massive family to mourn, brothers Jene (Selma); Forest, Sr. (Evelyn) Tyson; and sister Centennial Stewart. Brothers/Sisters in Love: Mose; Clarence; David (Hilda) Authorlee; Queen Esther; and Emily Authorlee; Lee Esther Tizeno; Paula (Keith)Hale; and Wesley Leblanc. Sons: Joseph (Jacqueline) Henderson; Alvin Williams; Tommy Tyson; and Kevin Blake Tyson. Daughters: Janice; and Kristy Tyson; Nikita Williams; Marquita; and Taliashe Authorlee. Fourteen (14) grandchildren; Sixteen (16) great grandchildren; Fifty (50) nieces and nephews; One Hundred Thirty-Six (136) great grand nieces and nephews, and a host of extended church family and friends.