Dec. 2, 1948 - Jan. 15, 2024
Grant “Lenny” Leon Tyson passed away on Monday, Jan. 15, 2024 in Wichita. Lenny was born on December 2, 1948 to Grant and Venita Tyson, of Waverly, in Newman Hospital in Emporia. Lenny graduated from Waverly High School in 1966. Lenny worked at Crawford’s Manufacturing in Emporia for three years when he met Wanda Woody. They were married in 1969. From their marriage, there were four children born, Jerry Leon in 1970, two daughters that died at birth and Daniel Grant in 1973.
Lenny worked for 7 years for Blacktop Asphalt Co. of Emporia. Lenny and Wanda divorced in 1979. Lenny met Barbara Hamilton and they were married in 1980. Lenny and Barbara lived in Hamilton for 13 years where he was the city maintenance man until 1987. Lenny was on the school board for USD 390 for 8 years. He then went to work in the Greenwood County Appraiser’s office for 2 years. Lenny later became the Greenwood County Road and Bridge superintendent until 1993. Lenny and Barbara then moved to Russell, where he became the Director of Public Works. A year later, he became the Russell County Administrator. This job lasted 19 years. Lenny’s wife Barbara died of cancer on September 11, 2003. They were married for 23 years.
In 2004, Lenny met Cheryl Samuels of Eureka and they were married later that year. Lenny retired at the age of 63. Lenny and Cheryl moved back to Eureka.
Over the years, his hobbies were playing music, hunting, fishing, trapping, gardening, bowling and looking for Indian Arrow Heads and collecting old coins.
Lenny is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Barbara Tyson; two daughters; and a bonus child, Matt Samuels.
Lenny is survived by his wife, Cheryl Tyson; his sons Jerry Leon Tyson (Carrera) and Daniel Grant Tyson (Angie); as well as his bonus children, Sheila (Randy) Smith, Wendy (Gene) Linsey, Roxanne (Tony) Sickler, bonus daughter-in-law Tammy Samuels. He is also survived by 9 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren, a brother, Dennis (Janice) Tyson and many nieces and nephews as well as several cousins.
Memorial contributions may be made to Emporia Wildlife & Parks Department and may be sent in care of Jones Funeral Home.
A visitation was held on Thursday, Jan. 18, from 9-10 a.m. at Jones Funeral Home.
A funeral service was held on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024 at 10 a.m. at Jones Funeral Home. Graveside followed at Waverly Cemetery.
