Deborah Kay Tyson

She was born in Grafton, North Dakota on July 30, 1957, to Robert and Elaine Tyson.

She moved to Anchorage with her family in 1963. She attended Sand Lake Elementary, Mears Junior High and graduated Dimond High in 1975.

She spent a number summers working construction in Alaska and was one of the first female flag people. She was known as the “flag girl” who wore braids. She worked in the Anchorage area and Seward, Girdwood, and Mendeltna.

She started visiting Hawaii with her family as a young girl. Upon graduation from Dimond High, she left for Hawaii where she earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in education from the University of Hawaii – Hilo. She stayed in Hawaii and taught Junior High for 16 years. She loved living in Hawaii, enjoying the ocean, swimming and snorkeling, the warm weather, the sunsets, the flowers and the music of the islands.

She moved to Mesa, Arizona to be closer th her parents. She taught at Mesa High and Powell Junior High and was the favorite teacher of many students.

Deborah enjoyed singing and sang in choirs in high school and was chosen to perform in Northwest Choir in her senior year. She sang in choirs in college. When Karaoke was introduced in the United States, she became a regular performer and won some competitions.

Deborah enjoyed swimming, reading, traveling, cruising, tennis, running, snow skiing and water skiing and enjoyed being with people.

She is survived by her mother, aunts, uncles, cousins and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, her father and her brother, Skip, and one uncle.

A memorial service will be held in her honor at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Sunshine Acres in Mesa Arizona.