Francis Elliott Tyson

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" John 3:16 (NIV)

Obituary

Francis "Frank" Tyson — known to many as Roscoe or Bud, was born December 30, 1941, in Stockton, Kansas, a tight-knit prairie town of about 1,400 people. He was the son of Francis D. and Louise Gordon Tyson.

Following his big sister Jean to Kansas State University, Frank forged lifelong bonds in the Sigma Chi fraternity, earned his wings through ROTC, and lent his beautiful singing voice to the Men's Glee Club. Those college years sparked passions that never faded: brotherhood, music, and service.

From 1964 to 1969, Captain Tyson proudly served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam war while stationed at McChord AFB in Tacoma, Washington. He flew 1,000 hours in Old Shaky, the C-124, and 2,000 more in the C-141 Starlifter. As he would somberly tell it, he flew supplies into, and fallen soldiers out of Vietnam. His time in the Air Force was a commitment that shaped his values and his life. His service was not just a chapter of his life — it was a source of enduring pride. He held profound respect for veterans and immense gratitude for the sacrifices they make and the freedoms they protect.

After the military, Frank flew commercially out of Minneapolis with Northwest Airlines (1969–1972). This is where he met many lifetime friends that became family to him, and he found true joy living in the upper Midwest.

Life threw Frank a career curveball, and in 1972 he made a sharp pivot into sales and marketing at Xerox. There he honed his consummate business acumen — always impeccably suited, relentlessly driven, and genuinely inspiring. His teams valued him; you wanted Frank in your corner. That talent later propelled him to Regional Sales Manager at Cessna Aircraft in Wichita, Kansas, and later VP of North American Sales for Gulfstream Aerospace in Savannah, Georgia. If you joined Frank for cocktail hour with a Brandy Manhattan or “See-Through” and were wise enough to ask him about his career path, he would smile with such pride as he took you along the windy path he traveled.

Retirement brought Frank pure joy on Round Lake in northern Wisconsin: fishing, boating, hunting camp, snowmobiling, campfires with family and friends, and annual reunions with Sigma Chi brothers. A proud Kansan through and through, he tolerated winter but embraced snowbird life, splitting time at his home in Punta Gorda's intracoastal waters — flats fishing, oystering, hot-tub soaks, and sunset happy hours with cruises that made everyone feel welcome.

Bud had a gift for gathering people, making each one feel seen, included, and loved. His endless jokes sparked laughter, his weekly phone calls nurtured connections, and his table always had room for one more. A patriot who knew the toll of war, he cherished his flag, his country, his family, and his friends — and yes, he was convinced years of mowing the church lawn had earned him a fast pass to heaven.

Frank left us November 28, 2025, surrounded by love. He is survived by his devoted wife Trudy; children Jeffrey (Brooke) Tyson, Jenny (Jeff) Cvengros, Rob (Jen) Hanson, and Oliver (Jennifer) Hanson; ten grandchildren: Carly, Samantha, Tyson, Ava, Anna, Andrew, Alex, Tyler, Emma, and John; former wife Jan Kaufman Monro; and a pack of beloved grand-dogs.

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March 12, 2026

When in Florida, I was able to spend lots of time with Trudy and Bud, dinners, rode trips, snacks, lots of see-through’s, hot tubs, hearing his jokes over and over, learning about his extraordinary life and all he did, hearing about his childhood and parents and Jean. He had a wealth of knowledge and loved when asked to share his stories. He was wonderful to me and is missed so much….

Tracy Burback

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