Obituary for Van Allen Tyson
Van Allen Tyson, 83, died Saturday, Feb. 27, 2021, in Atkins, Ark., after a struggle with ill health.
He was born in Morrilton, Ark., on May 22, 1937, to Van and Fannie Rhea (Cheek) Tyson of Atkins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his stepmother, Lucille Day Tyson, and his son-in-law, Jason Molitor. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Virginia Thompson Tyson; two daughters, Emory Molitor of North Little Rock, and Gail and husband Mark Murdoch of Atkins; three granddaughters, Moira and husband Judd Moore, and Olivia Molitor, all of North Little Rock, and Abigail Molitor of Russellville; and two great-granddaughters, Laykin Moore and Nova Molitor-Wells; a sister, Beckie Tyson of Moore, Okla.; and two brothers, Tom Tyson and wife Barbara of St. Louis, Mo., and Robert Tyson of Atkins; and many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was owner and publisher of The Atkins Chronicle (1959-60 and 1992-2020) and The Dover Times (1994-2018) where he wrote a weekly column, “The Gum Log,” and covered the local government and community news. He won many awards for his editorials, reporting, photography, graphic design and was especially honored to have received the Arkansas Press Association award for general excellence. He was passionate about the value of ethical journalism in a democracy.
An Arkansas Tech graduate, he did graduate work in journalism at State University of Iowa and then earned both a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in English at University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.
He was a reporter for the Des Moines Tribune (Iowa) and a reporter and editorial writer for the Arkansas Democrat.
He retired from teaching at Arkansas Tech University after 30 years. He served as Professor of Journalism and Head of the Department of Speech, Theatre and Journalism. He built the department, expanding the faculty, student numbers, and curriculum. He was instrumental in establishing the campus radio station, KXRJ. He was passionate about mentoring his students and staff and took great joy in their successes.
A cherished activity was playing trombone and harmonica in Jazz Reunion, a local band he helped form.
He served as a 1st Lieutenant in the United States Army.
He was honored to be chosen as Dover Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year and People for a Better Atkins Citizen of the Year. He was honored as Patron of the Arts by the Arkansas River Valley Arts Center.
He was a life-long member of Memorial Presbyterian Church in Atkins, where he served as an Elder and Clerk of Session. He was a longtime board member of the Oakland Cemetery Association, founding board member of the Pea Ridge Fire Department, Past President of the Arkansas Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (Sigma Delta Chi). He was the Arkansas Press Association’s Educator of the Year, board member of the Arkansas Press Foundation, long-time officer of the Pope County Historical Association, a member of the Potts Inn board, and an officer in the Atkins Lions Club. He was a member of the Northwest Arkansas Military Officers Association (MOAA), the American Legion, the Arkansas River Valley Amateur Radio Foundation (ARVARF), the River Valley Festival Chorale and the River Valley Community Band.
He had many hobbies. He was a veracious reader, private pilot, ham radio operator, photographer, and collector of model trains. He loved to research local history and explore the outdoors, sometimes riding his dirt bike through the woods and exploring the roaring branch beside the family home. He adored his family, loved the people of his community, and was a devoted caretaker of his cats and dogs.
Because of COVID-19, a private service will be held Friday, March 5 under the direction of Lemley Funeral Service of Atkins. In lieu of a visitation, loved ones are encouraged to send messages through the Lemley Funeral Home website. Memorial donations can be made to Memorial Presbyterian Church, PO Box 437, Atkins, AR 72823; to the Arkansas Press Foundation, 411 S. Victory, Little Rock, AR 72201; or to the Arkansas Tech University Journalism Department.
Online obituary and condolences are available at www.lemleyfuneral.com.
He was born in Morrilton, Ark., on May 22, 1937, to Van and Fannie Rhea (Cheek) Tyson of Atkins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his stepmother, Lucille Day Tyson, and his son-in-law, Jason Molitor. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Virginia Thompson Tyson; two daughters, Emory Molitor of North Little Rock, and Gail and husband Mark Murdoch of Atkins; three granddaughters, Moira and husband Judd Moore, and Olivia Molitor, all of North Little Rock, and Abigail Molitor of Russellville; and two great-granddaughters, Laykin Moore and Nova Molitor-Wells; a sister, Beckie Tyson of Moore, Okla.; and two brothers, Tom Tyson and wife Barbara of St. Louis, Mo., and Robert Tyson of Atkins; and many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was owner and publisher of The Atkins Chronicle (1959-60 and 1992-2020) and The Dover Times (1994-2018) where he wrote a weekly column, “The Gum Log,” and covered the local government and community news. He won many awards for his editorials, reporting, photography, graphic design and was especially honored to have received the Arkansas Press Association award for general excellence. He was passionate about the value of ethical journalism in a democracy.
An Arkansas Tech graduate, he did graduate work in journalism at State University of Iowa and then earned both a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in English at University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.
He was a reporter for the Des Moines Tribune (Iowa) and a reporter and editorial writer for the Arkansas Democrat.
He retired from teaching at Arkansas Tech University after 30 years. He served as Professor of Journalism and Head of the Department of Speech, Theatre and Journalism. He built the department, expanding the faculty, student numbers, and curriculum. He was instrumental in establishing the campus radio station, KXRJ. He was passionate about mentoring his students and staff and took great joy in their successes.
A cherished activity was playing trombone and harmonica in Jazz Reunion, a local band he helped form.
He served as a 1st Lieutenant in the United States Army.
He was honored to be chosen as Dover Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year and People for a Better Atkins Citizen of the Year. He was honored as Patron of the Arts by the Arkansas River Valley Arts Center.
He was a life-long member of Memorial Presbyterian Church in Atkins, where he served as an Elder and Clerk of Session. He was a longtime board member of the Oakland Cemetery Association, founding board member of the Pea Ridge Fire Department, Past President of the Arkansas Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (Sigma Delta Chi). He was the Arkansas Press Association’s Educator of the Year, board member of the Arkansas Press Foundation, long-time officer of the Pope County Historical Association, a member of the Potts Inn board, and an officer in the Atkins Lions Club. He was a member of the Northwest Arkansas Military Officers Association (MOAA), the American Legion, the Arkansas River Valley Amateur Radio Foundation (ARVARF), the River Valley Festival Chorale and the River Valley Community Band.
He had many hobbies. He was a veracious reader, private pilot, ham radio operator, photographer, and collector of model trains. He loved to research local history and explore the outdoors, sometimes riding his dirt bike through the woods and exploring the roaring branch beside the family home. He adored his family, loved the people of his community, and was a devoted caretaker of his cats and dogs.
Because of COVID-19, a private service will be held Friday, March 5 under the direction of Lemley Funeral Service of Atkins. In lieu of a visitation, loved ones are encouraged to send messages through the Lemley Funeral Home website. Memorial donations can be made to Memorial Presbyterian Church, PO Box 437, Atkins, AR 72823; to the Arkansas Press Foundation, 411 S. Victory, Little Rock, AR 72201; or to the Arkansas Tech University Journalism Department.
Online obituary and condolences are available at www.lemleyfuneral.com.