Thomas James Kyle

Thomas James Kyle affectionally known as T.J. was born on November 13, 1949 in Jackson, Mississippi to Willie Kyle and Vivian Tripp Griffin. Thomas was the eighth oldest of eleven children. T.J. is preceded in death by his parents Vivian, Willie, stepfather Wade Griffin, brothers James, Ricky, and sister Betty-Jean.

Vivian moved her family to the westside of Chicago, Illinois in 1955 and T.J. attended Chicago Public Schools.He enlisted in the Marines in May of 1969 as a Private First Class and received an honorable discharge in 1971 as a Lance Corporal and remained active in the Marine reserve until 1975. He also fought in the Vietnam War.

T.J. obtain a Bachelor of Science degree in Horticulture. He loved to watch basketball, football and baseball. He was an avid fan of the Chicago Bulls and Chicago Bears teams.

T.J. was known throughout the Austin neighborhood and was loved and respected by all. T.J. always kept in touch with the neighbors on Mayfield.The McGhee family was his second home and he enjoyed sitting on their front porch talking with Mama McGhee. T.J. loved his family and would share his knowledge and wisdom amongst them, and he never forgot anything.

On the afternoon of February 19, 2021, God called his angel T.J. home.

T.J. leaves to cherish his memories with his siblings, nieces, nephews, great-nieces/nephews and a host of other family and friends.

The family of Thomas James Kyle would like to thank each and every one of you for your acts of kindness. Whether you sent flowers, cards, text messages, phone calls, or lifted us up in prayer, we would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to all.

THE CLOCK

The clock of life is wound but once, and no one has the power to tell just when the hands will stop. At late or early hour at God’s order and his will. Now is the only time you own. Live, love, toll with a will. Place no faith in tomorrow for the clock may then be still.