Oh Gene there are simply no words. The Fairs, being on the road all those years, CC and I keeping the ‘compound’ secure while you, Paul, and Byron were out there working, Alice and I keeping everyone fed, laughing all the time, split pea soup in Wisconsin, chicken and waffles in Bloomsberg, you always getting us lost going around Chicago and I’d have to take the lead to get us back on track (and you had the navigation in your coach!) not so easy towing a big fifth wheel with Chicago traffic, the late nights at the SFF ….so many wonderful memories of our friendship which you extended from Paul and I to our kids and your ‘surrogate’ grandson Byron …who adored you, Alice, and CC. We will never forget you, Alice, and CC as we truly became family over all those years. We love you and will miss you always. You both left us too soon.
Love,
Paul and Linda (Sis) Schuette and family

PART 1 -I met Gene Raymond Tylander during the summer of 1956.  Gene was 6 years old and I was 7 when my father built a house and we moved in three doors down from the Tylanders.   Thus began a friendship covering six decades.  Because “The Tylanders” was the only home for many blocks with a swimming pool; it was always a hub for many neighborhood kids.  And there was always that refrigerator full of Mountain Dew that kept us all hyped to the max. 

It was a much simpler time growing up in the 1960’s.  No cell phones; no internet.  Bad news didn’t travel as fast.  Everything was up close and personal.  You didn’t phone - the first one awake on weekends and summers headed over to the other’s home.  Knock once, then go in; nobody locked their doors.  My 3 sisters thought (still do) that Gene was their third brother.  Kathy, Gene’s older sister, saw us all as obnoxious nuisances (we were).  

During the early school years Gene, myself and others built multi-story, elaborate tree houses (his dad owned a lumber yard).  We held seasonal fruit wars with the kids at the other end of Greymon Drive.  He and I mowed lawns for cash which we ended up spending on the pinball machines at Ranch’s Drug Store, at the new Burger King or for fishing bait.  The Intracoastal Waterway, one short block away, was a prime source of our early entertainment.  We fished, we sailed, we camped out on Bird Island and we occasionally slipped into the back of Mar-a-Lago when Mrs. Post still owned it (my uncle was her caretaker).  Bikes, Schwinn Stingrays in particular, were our primary mode of travel – and we would travel miles on them (to Palm Beach, Lake Worth, etc.)!  For three years (1961 – 1963) Gene and I would ride our bikes up to the Southern Boulevard bridge to wave at President Kennedy’s motorcade whenever it went by.   
(CONTINUED BELOW)

PART 3 - Despite his college antics Gene did bring home a business degree and a beautiful girlfriend, Alice Smith, who soon became his wife.

As young married couples Gene and I focused on growing our families and I was honored to be named the godfather of their first child, Patrick.  After the birth of our daughter Hannah in 1999 Gene and Alice appointed themselves her honorary Aunt and Uncle.  Gene would entertain Hannah with his infamous Donald Duck impressions and he and Alice took her on annual overnight trips in their “coach” to both the South Florida Fair and to Disney World.  Earlier this year Gene “approved” Hannah’s steady boyfriend, Joseph.      

I will forever remember Gene Raymond Tylander as my good and true friend!  His untimely passing is an omen for all of us that our health can never be taken for granted.  I miss you my friend; we will meet again!     Steve Oenbrink 




PART 2 -In high school Gene was a swimmer (Forest Hill HS) and I ran track (Cardinal Newman).  He got up at ungodly hours to swim practice laps before school and again after school.  Nevertheless, after arriving home exhausted every day, we (and about 20 others) would slip over the wall of the lakefront “Mack’s Mansion” (the owner of Mack Trucks) for a “no rules” game of tackle football, sans pads.  Our intensity, as well as the grid of in-ground sprinkler heads, was the cause of many cuts, injuries and a few broken bones.  Overall, Gene was always a bit accident prone as we grew older and attempted riskier adventures.  Things such as:  zip-lining over/into their pool; BB guns; M-80 powered mortars; water skiing; the list goes on.  By my count Gene probably used up 4 or 5 of his nine lives during our adolescence.   

Driver’s licenses and access to cars opened the door to new adventures (and misadventures) at about the junior year of high school. We would cruise his VW Bug or my Corvair umpteen times past “The Hut” and other local drive-ins in search of “the foxes”.  Although Gene’s blond locks made him very attractive to girls, neither one of us really had one steady date in high school.  

College saw us each go in different directions.  I headed to Gainesville and a year later Gene was Alabama bound.  Due to the lack of technology; still no internet, etc. (computers ran on punched cards) we now saw each other only during semester breaks.  Gene did join a fraternity at the UofA and was very involved in their social planning.  I think I’ve heard the story fifty times of his ill-fated road trip to Colorado to procure and bring back a trailer load of Coors beer (it was initially only available in Colorado).  Despite running off the road in Texas and sticking the now-heavy trailer in soft sand a friendly local Sheriff helped the frat brothers push it out – without opening the trailer and offloading weight.  Wow, talk about your dumb luck!   (to be continued below)

my message exceeds 2000 characters.  Is there a way to include  a two page letter in the memory book?

Oh Dear Gene....you will so be missed my friend!! I will.miss our talks about Green Turtle Cay and how you built the GTC Club back in the day. I have known you and been your friend for over 50 years.....save a seat for me up there!! Until I see you again......Love and miss you already!!! Rest In Peace .......my friend.  Betsy Walden MacDowell

 I always considered Gene to be my “Other Brother”. We all grew up playing kickball in the street, football on the neighbors lawn (we snuck in), and swimming in Genes pool (when the dog wasent jumping on you)! Washington Road was a super place for kids! BUT…I also remember Gene as the accident prone kid in the neighborhood…broken bones and even going to the hospital for a splinter (it went into his bloodstream). I STILL think of this whenever I get a splinter!
    I will definitely miss our Game Day texting! Me a Gator and Gene for Bama! I will say, for the last time, “ROLL TIDE!
  Now go be with Alice (we all know how much you missed her) and RIP!
  My Condolences to the family.  may all your Happy Memories carry you through these hard times. 💔
 

To the Tylander family. Randy and I were so shocked to hear of Gene’s passing. Gene and Alice took care of Randy years ago when he became very ill. He never forgot their generosity. Gene even gave him a job when he was in need, He will most certainly be sorely missed. Not many people like Gene and anyone who knew him was so very lucky!

To all of Gene's Family, my sincerest condolences to you upon losing a wonderful member of your family.  Like all of us who knew him, there is a space that can't be filled with anything but the memories we shared with him. Last year, Gene was converting old pictures to digital media and began sending many to me from our days at Alabama together.  Water skiing, partying, etc. The old cliche "I could write a book" is very appropriate of our days in Tuscaloosa...and elsewhere. Attached is the picture he sent me that captures how I want to remember him. I pray you will find comfort I our Lord's promise and that Gene and Alice are together once again.

I knew Gene from the alumni club. My favorite memory of him is his love of pickles! Roll Tide! He will be missed!

Kathy and family, we are so sorry to hear of your loss. We only met Gene one evening for dinner but he and his friend gave Swiss Village friends a wonderful memory. Blessings to all in the wonderful memories of his life on Earth. May you find peace in these memories. 
Debbie & Mike Moore

So many great stories told in Wisconsin at the diner.

It’s hard to express my feelings right now. You have started the next part of your journey. ..so many open arms, Alice and one very happy dog.  You are the brother I never had and will miss you dearly. 

OBITUARY

Gene Raymond Tylander

August 27, 1950 – February 21, 2022

Aycock-Riverside Funeral and Cremation Center

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