Obituary of Augustus J. Tyo, Jr.

Augustus (Gus) James Tyo, resident of Ocala, Florida, formerly of Potsdam, New York passed away on Tuesday, July 20, 2021, in Ocala, Florida at the age of 98 years.

     He was born in Norfolk, New York on October 18, 1922, to Augustus John and Johanna Durant Tyo.  Gus was one of 10 children with one surviving sibling, Eileen Fox.  His brothers, Joseph (called Harry), Bernard, Howard, Louis and Russell and his sisters, Mary, Adelaide, and Neva predeceased Gus.

    At the age of 20, Gus joined the Army and was a member of the 1^st Battalion, 358^th Infantry, Company B.  While part of the Normandy invasion, he received a Purple Heart after being hit with shrapnel while being shelled on July 4, 1944.  He recovered in a few weeks, went back into action, and later earned four Bronze Stars before being sidelined with trench foot in November 1944.

   He worked at Alco-Aluminum before and after the Army as well as Montgomery Ward, Sears, construction and then owned a local TV repair shop in Hannawa Falls before he “retired” in the mid-1980’s.  He moved to Florida from Colton, NY and while in “retirement” started his own handyman service until the age of 90.  At that time, he started turning wood as a hobby and was creating candle stick holders, canes, and bowls for a couple of hours a day.

   Gus and his wife, Juanita (Nita) were married on September 21, 1984, and over the years, wore out many vehicles traveling across the continental United States on vacations. Starting with retirement he became an avid HAM radio operator. With the internet becoming popular, he transitioned from HAM radio to message boards and ultimately ending up on Facebook.

   Gus was preceded in death by Nita as well as his son, Dean, daughter-in-law, Geri, his grandson, Steven and his first wife, Susan.  He is survived by his grandson, Michael (Maureen) of Clay, NY and his great-grandson, Logan, who was his pride and joy along with many nieces and nephews.

   He is also survived by his stepchildren, Cynthia Campbell Christel (Conrad), John Campbell (Sheryl), Susan Campbell LaBaff (Wayne), David Campbell (Molly Jo) and Ginger Iverson, along with step-grandchildren and step great-grandchildren.

Juanita (Nita) W. Tyo, resident of Ocala, Florida, formerly of Potsdam, New York passed away on Saturday, May 1, 2021, at Ocala, Florida at the age of 92 years.

   Born in Potsdam, New York on February 16, 1929, she was the daughter of the late Levi Edward and Ethel Martin Wells. Nita was a graduate of Potsdam Central High School in 1945.

   She worked for J.C. Penny Department store until retirement and continued to work at Winn Dixie into her 80s.

   Nita loved to travel with her husband, Gus, across the continental United States. She loved to play Farkle and card games with all her family. Nita was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, and friend. She loved life and radiated a positive light and hope to all of us.

   Preceded in death by her first husband, Roland Campbell; her stepson, Dean Tyo; 2 grandchildren; 1 great-grandchild and all six of her siblings. She is survived by her husband, Augustus James Tyo, and her five children, Cynthia Campbell Christel and husband, Conrad Christel, of Punta Gorda, Florida; John Steven Campbell and wife, Sheryl Campbell, of Potsdam, New York; Susan Campbell LaBaff and her husband, Wayne LaBaff, of Nicholville, New York; David Roland Campbell and wife, Molly Jo Campbell, of Dunnellon, Florida and Ginger Campbell Iverson of Concord, New Hampshire as well as 13 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.