Santonio Terinque Tyler

On February 25, 2026, God called home our beloved Santonio Terinque Tyler known to family and childhood friends as “Terry” after a courageous battle.
 

Terry was born on June 4, 1974, in Fernandina Beach, FL to the late Leroy Lucas Jr and Catherine Tyler Harley. In his early years, he attended Fernandina Beach Middle School, Fernandina Beach FL and Frederick Douglas Highschool in Atlanta, GA.  Terry later went on to earn his GED in his early adult years. Terry lived in Virginia and Georgia before returning to Florida for his final resting place.
 

He attended Tulsa Welding School where he received his degree in Welding Technology/Welder. He worked for various shipyards as a Welder in Jacksonville, Florida.
 

Terry will be remembered as the life of the party, whose presence ensured that you would have a great time. He never missed an opportunity to reenact a story to make others laugh. While he was busy making others laugh, he assured everyone that he was the “Protector” of all the ladies in the family.
 

More than anything, Terry treasured time with his family. Whether it was a holiday celebration, a casual weekend get-together under the carport, or simply sitting around talking for hours, shooting pool, listening to reggae music, he valued those connections deeply.
 

Although Terry was bravely battling illness, he found profound joy and renewed strength in becoming a grandfather to his only grandson known as “Big Man.” He cherished every moment, every smile, and every opportunity to share his love and warmth. Even during his hardest days, his pride and devotion to his grandson were unmistakable, and the bond they shared was a source of great comfort and happiness.
 

When football season rolled around, there was no mistaking where his loyalty stood. As a devoted fan of the Dallas Cowboys, Sundays were reserved for cheering on “America’s Team.” Win or lose, he stood by his Cowboys with unwavering pride, sporting his team colors and passionately analyzing every play.
 

Terry is proceeded in death by his father Leroy Lucas Jr; maternal grandparents Booker T. and Maxine Tyler; paternal grandparents Leroy and Bernice Lucas Sr; sister Tirria Harley; aunts/uncles Angela Tyler, Magaline Williams, Carnell Tillman, Sr and Luther and Lerose Rucker; cousin Letiandrea Rucker-Hinton.
 

Terry leaves behind to cherish his memories, his lifelong partner and fiancée Tonia Waters; his loving mother, Catherine Tyler Harley; children Santonia Tyler, Santonio Tyler Jr; grandson Terrell Goodman Jr; sister Kristen Hodges, uncles Leroy Tyler, Breon Lucas; aunts Mary Tyler Snow, Nora Tyler Bradley (David); niece/nephew Kameron Demps, Kendrick Gallon; cousins Shonell Rogers Savoy (Keith);  Hassan Tyler, Maurice Fields, Tyneisha Fields, Angel Phynon, Carnell Tillman Jr (Princess), Clarence Tillman, Leron Rucker, Lenrico Rucker, and a host of other relatives and friends.

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