Tyrone (Ty) James Maphis, 68, of Fort Lauderdale, passed from this world on November 21, 2023, after a long battle with skin cancer. He was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on September 26, 1955. He attended Fort Lauderdale High School. Tyrone was a longtime musician, and a very talented singer and bass player. He was part of the band Freewheel, where he sang and played bass and traveled the world on tour in the early 1980’s. The band was a fixture in South Florida, playing concerts with Heart, Motorhead and Blue Oyster Cult. Ty also shared his talents as part of other bands, playing with Tina Turner and others. He co-founded Damzel Music in the 1990’s. He worked for a variety of businesses in South Florida, including Deerfield Builders Supply.
Tyrone is survived by his niece, Natasha Damner (Barton) of Sausalito, CA, and nephews: Baxter Buckbee and Derby Hudson; his sister, Dorothy Jack and her son Joshua Bell and daughter Katie Bell and grandson Rowen; his brother, Rob Maphis and his daughters Brianna, Alexa and Ava; and his stepmother, Viola Maphis. He was preceded in death by his sister, Christina Cousineau, his father, Robert, Jr., and his mother, Jeannette Terese.
Ty’s final arrangements are being handled by Fred Hunter’s Funeral Home at 718 S Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Skin Cancer Foundation https://give.skincancer.org/give/274781/#!/donation/checkout
