Tom Tyer

Tommy Keith Tyer, 80, of Winterset, passed away peacefully at UnityPoint Health - Trinity Regional Medical Center in Fort Dodge, Iowa, on Tuesday, June 23, 2026.

He was born March 1st, 1946, in Winterset, Iowa, the son of Roscoe and Mary (Hendricks) Tyer. He graduat­ed from Winterset High School in 1964 and went on to receive a 2-year degree in electronics. In 1966, he married Ruth Thornburg, and they had three children, Tracy, Mike, and Jeff. He served in the Army from 1966 to 1968 and was deployed to Viet Nam. After discharge, Tom went to work for Northwestern Bell, where he finished out a lifelong career with the telephone company, retiring in 2008.

Tom enjoyed his family above all else; Ruth and the kids were always foremost in his mind, and he was always thinking of things he could do or make to make their lives better. The son of a carpenter, he enjoyed building things in his well-equipped garage, from toys for the kids to shelves, benches, and furniture. The family always said that when Tom built something, it weighed a ton and would last forever. When he wasn’t in the garage, Tom could be found on the golf course at Lakeview Country Club, where he was a member for almost 60 years, or camping with his family and taking road trips with Ruth. He was a long-time member of the American Legion Green Rogers Post #184 and served as a past post commander.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Gary Tyer, Richard Tyer and infant sister, Peggy; son-in-law, Todd Van Kooten, and brother-in-law, Edgar Coffman. He is survived by his wife, Ruth (Thornburg) Tyer; and children, Tracy Van Kooten, Mike Tyer, and Jeff Tyer and wife, Jeri; grandson, Joey Van Kooten; and sister, Gayla (Tyer) Coffman.

A visitation with the family will be held from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m., Monday, June 29, 2026, at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home in Winterset, followed by a memorial service beginning at 11:00 a.m. Burial with military honors will be at North McDonald Cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to DAV and/or Winterset American Legion Post #184.