Member Profile  By James H. Shott, III

 November 11, 2004

F. Tyler Easley

Tyler is one of many Bluefield natives in our club, and is another of our members with a long-standing relationship with Rotary. Our Sergeant at Arms has been in the Bluefield club since August 24, 1948.

Tyler is best known as a photographer, but before that, he worked a variety of jobs. While he was in high school and while attending Bluefield College, he worked summers at Stowers Motors and Sarver Wrecking. Then after college, he served four years in the U.S. Army Air Corps as a heavy equipment operator, building roads in the states, and building an airfield on Guam. Upon his return to Bluefield, Tyler worked for several years at the Bluefield Coal and Coke Company with his dad. His career as a professional photographer did not begin until Bluefield Coal closed, but once he got started, he spent the next twenty-plus years shooting weddings and other commercial jobs, including being the photog for the Bluefield High School athletic programs. Notably, Tyler photographed the first Rotary membership book, and photographed two others, as well. He retired from professional photography almost 20 years ago.

Tyler and Eva married in 1945, and until fairly recently lived in the house where Tyler grew up at 1500 College Ave. It’s a beautiful place, and those of us with a few years behind us remember the peacocks and peahens and other birds that once graced the property. Tyler said that his father had raised the birds as a youngster, and one Christmas an old friend sent his dad a male and a female. After that, seeing peafowl and other birds on the property was a common sight for many, many years. Tyler inherited an affinity for animals from his father, and raised birds and other pets as a youngster.

Tyler and Eva have a daughter, Becky, who is married to our own John Beckett. Becky now teaches English as a Second Language classes to adults, but for many years taught in public schools. We should say a prayer for Becky. With both Tyler and John to contend with, her burden is indeed heavy.

Tyler took over as Sergeant at Arms 15 or so years ago, after Dr. Craig H. Patterson (Dr. Pat) retired. He has also served a few terms on the club’s Board of Directors. He enjoyed participating in activities like the holiday bell-ringing and roadside cleanup projects, and loves the camaraderie of Rotary. Tyler believes that Rotary provides members with the opportunity to perform useful service, and appreciates the work that Rotary does in the community and around the world.