Steven “Steve” Werner Tyra, 62, passed away on November 18, 2014. Born on April 19, 1952 in Phoenix, AZ, Steve was the son of the late Ed and Marjorie Tyra. In 2008, Steve moved to West Virginia. When asked why he moved to across the country, Steve would always reply, “Like every great story, it begins with … I met a woman.” Steve was retired from his own business, Steve Tyra and Company, where he starred as a professional voice; speaker; humorist; stage and costume characters; and communication consultant. His greatest pride came from his 30+ years portraying Santa Claus. In 2013 his dream came true when he played Kris Kringle in the Historic Fayette Theater’s product of Miracle on 34th Street. He truly made you believe! Steve was a Constitution-carrying Libertarian and an Endowment Member of the National Rifle Association. He will be remembered for his selfless service to others as a member of the Fayetteville Lions Club; Historic Fayette Theater Board; Mountain Transit Authority Board; and a volunteer at the Fayetteville Convention and Visitors Bureau, Fayetteville Food Pantry, and many other community events. For his work, he was recognized as Fayetteville’s 2014 Citizen of the Year. Steve loved making people laugh; John Wayne; the music of Jimmy Buffett; politics; old black and white TV shows and movies; fishing; Saturday morning Brit Coms; Hawaiian shirts; and often did his best to display the worst traits of all Three Stooges rolled into one. He was an endless font of minutiae and trivial details. Steve is survived by his wife Sally Kiner; mother-in-law Thelma Kiner; sisters-in-law Becky Ensor and her husband Byron; Kitty Laepple and her husband Wayne, and Barb Householder and her husband Paul. Also surviving are nephews Blake and Luke Ensor; Dan (Shannon) and Bill Bornman; nieces Anny Laepple and Kate Laepple Hertzog (Ed); and several great nieces and a great nephew. Steve had a special place in his heart his great nieces Lucy and Pippa Hertzog. He is also survived by his very good buddies Mike Pilato and Rick Nugen, and his brother-from-another-mother Brad Zinn (Brenda). He was the National Speakers Association Arizona Chapter Member of the Year in 1986 and 1997 and was presented the 1987 President’s Distinguished Service Award from the National Speakers Association. Steve was a graduate of Ron Bailie School of Broadcasting and attended Phoenix College. He was a member of Doggett Chapel United Methodist Church and dearly loved his church family and Bible study. Visitation will be November 21 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Dodd-Payne-Hess Funeral Home in Fayetteville, WV. A celebration of Steve’s life will be November 22 at 2:00 p.m. at The Historic Fayette Theater in Fayetteville, with visitation one hour before the service. Everyone is invited to wear their most outlandish Hawaiian shirt or wacky tee shirt to the celebration. Personal funny stories and joyful encounters involving Steve that you wish to share are encouraged. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to The Historic Fayette Theater, P.O. Box 448, Fayetteville, WV 25840. Dodd-Payne-Hess Funeral Home; 350 W. Maple Ave. is in charge of the arrangments. Online condolences may be sent at www.doddpaynehessfuneralhome.com
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