Long time Starkville resident, Dr. Fred H. Tyner, Jr., passed away at home Sunday, August 18, 2024. He was born March 23, 1937 in Purvis, Mississippi to parents Fred H. Tyner, Sr. and Lola Boone Tyner. Fred graduated from Purvis High School in 1955 as class valedictorian. Higher education included Mississippi State University, receiving his B.S. in Farm Equipment Management and Sales in 1959 and a M.S. in Agricultural Economics in 1962. He received his Ph.D. from Oklahoma State University in 1966.
Tyner would join the US Army Reserve in May of 1959, would serve on active duty at Fort Jackson, South Carolina and after fulfilling his original obligation, extended his service in the reserves and was discharged as a 1st Lt in 1966.
While attending MSU, Fred attended a Starkville Street Dance with students bussed over from what was then Mississippi State College for Women (MSCW) where he met a young lady from Sulphur, Louisiana that would later become his wife. Fred and Jane Taylor Moss would be married on June 8, 1958 in a marriage that would last for over 66 years. The Tyners would have two sons, William and Charlie. The Tyner family made stops at Oklahoma State University, Louisiana State University, and the University of Florida as Fred continued his career in agriculture. In addition to teaching and research, Dr. Tyner would be published in numerous books, journals, bulletins, research reports, staff papers and featured as a presenter throughout his academic work career. The family would move back to Starkville in 1972 and Fred would ultimately retire as Associate Director, MS Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station (MAFES).
After his retirement, Fred stayed busy attending auctions, estate and garage sales, and buying storage units. He would then refinish/refurbish the furniture and sort and collect the miscellaneous items for sale. His love of reading, and his memory, allowed him to know the values of the pieces and he was always looking for a bargain.
A talented musician, Dr. Tyner played piano, organ, guitar, and accordion. Musically, he is probably known most for his voice. He was a member, and soloist, of the choir and “Men for the Master” at FUMC of Starkville and later in the choir at New Journey. “Mr. Fred” was also a regular at the Wesley Foundation on the campus of MSU.
Dr. Tyner is survived by his wife, Jane Moss Tyner of Starkville MS and sons; William Tyner (Joy) of Trussville AL and Charlie Tyner (Angie) of Collierville TN. Grandsons; John Luke Tyner (Morgan) of Fairhope AL, Ryan Tyner (Hannah) of Memphis TN, and Logan Tyner of Collierville TN. He was preceded in death by his parents, and granddaughters; Perry Tyner Tate, and Molly Tyner Boland.
A memorial service is not scheduled at this time but will be planned for the future.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making a gift to your church, favorite charity, or the MSU Wesley Foundation.
