Leslie George Tyo

Leslie G. Tyo, age 91, of Beaverton passed away August 21, 2015. He was born in Sackets Harbor, New York April 4, 1924 to Leslie and Evelyn (Fort) Tyo. Les was an Army “brat” who lived in different parts of the country, Hawaii, and Panama. In high school his father was transferred to Fort Lewis, Washington. While attending Clover Park High School, he met his future wife, Margaret Van Wert.

In 1942 Les joined the Merchant Marines and started his career as a lowly wiper, and quickly worked his way up to become the youngest chief engineer for the Army Transport Service. He transported troops and refugees during WWII, the Korean War, and Indochina as it divided into North and South Vietnam. Les later worked as a Port Engineer in Seattle, Portland, and San Francisco, retiring in 1986.

In his retirement, Les was active in the Beaverton Lion’s Club, and was especially honored to have received the Helen Keller Benefactor and the Melvin Jones Fellow awards. He also loved golf, playing several times a week, and had played in a tournament three days before his death. When not playing golf or involved with a Lion’s activity, you could find him working on his yard or reading a good book.

Les is survived by his wife, Margaret “Peg” Tyo; children, Ronald (Anne) Tyo, Paul (Ann) Tyo, Madeline (Bryan) Davis, and Marilyn (Ken) Bodily; ten grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings, Donald Tyo and Jean Evanger. Les was preceded in death by his siblings Malcom, Steven and Lucille, and by his beloved daughter, Gayle.

A memorial service will be held Thursday, August 27 at 2 p.m. at Southminster Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Les’s name to the Oregon Lion’s Sight and Hearing Foundation. Their address is 101 NW 22nd Ave., #144, Portland, OR 97210.