It is with great sadness that I have to inform you of the passing of another classmate, Charles "Tyke" Mc Connell who passed away yesterday, April 10, after a series of ongoing illnesses. Tyke had suffered a stroke several years ago and his brother, Vernon, had called me to inform me of Tyke's healh issues. I called him immediately and we had a nice, but short, conversation. I could tell he did not have all his strength and his voice was weak. This morning, Tyke's wife, Nelda, called me with the sad news.
Ironically, when she called, I was listening to some 50's music on the computer: Pat Boone, Fats Domino and Elvis, and I was putting together some notes for a class I am teaching at Lipscomb University, Pat Boone's alma matter. Some of my fondest memories of Tyke and I were us listening to the rock music of that great era we were all fortunate to grow up in. Songs with lyrics you could remember, and melodies that you could sing along too. I have vivid memories of sitting in my bedroom, or in Tyke's (we lived across the street from each other on Winding Creek Road) and playing our favorite 45's on one of those portable suitcase type record players we all had in our rooms. Ricky Nelson, Pat Boone, Connie Francis, Elvis, Buddy Holly, were among our favorites.
Tyke was my oldest friend. We went to Arden School, beginning in the third grade, then Orville Wright, when it opened, for the 4th, 5th and 6th grade, and on to Starr King when it opened, for the 7th and 8th grade. Tyke was always into airplanes and flying. He, and his Dad, Mac, a civiian employee at Mc Clellan AFB, had a shop behind their garage and they would work on model airplanes. Tyke could hardly wait to learn to fly and owned at least one airplane, perhaps, several. He also had a Corvette. Between a great car, and his own airplane, Tyke was 'living the dream.'
In '56 or '57, my Mother drove Tyke and I to San Francisco, where we met my Father at SFO airport, where we boarded a DC-3 "tail banger" prop plane, and took our first commerical flight together. Somewhere, in a long lost box of stuff, I have the picture my Father took that night as the two of us boarded one of those staircases they would roll out to the plane. Even if I never find the actual photo, my memory of that major 'event' is etched in my mind. We were both wearing suites and looked like quite the young adventurers.
Another memory is of Tyke, Phil Fraser, and I, dressed up for Halloween with Phil as "Tramp," me as "Lady," and Tyke as the 'dog catcher.'
The last time I visited Tyke was at our 50th class reunion. In fact, I stayed with Tyke and Nelda at their home in Lincoln. We went to the Sam's Hauf Brau get together on Friday, and, as fate would have it, it was that weekend, Sam's and the reunion, that I would see Tyke and our neighbor and classmate on Cathay Way, Ken Miller, for the last time. When we were not playing football or catch on Tyke's front lawn, the three of us were playing "Army" on my back lawn. As Peggy Lee sang, "those were the days, my friends, I wished they'd never end, those were the days, those WERE THE DAYS.
RIP, old and cherished friend. Get a good rest. See you on the 'other side.'
I am so sad to hear the news about Tyke McConnell. I, too, remember Tyke from Orville Wright and Starr King before El Camino .Iam glad that I was able to talk with him at the 50th reunion. I will always remember his infectious smile.
Family and friends are invited to a viewing Friday, April 20 from 4 pm to 8 pm at East Lawn Mortuary. A Memorial service will be held at 11 am Saturday, April 21 with a reception to follow at East Lawn Mortuary, 5757 Greenback Lane, Sacramento, CA 95841.
and 'thanks' for updating us on Tyke's memorial service and visitation. I wish I could be there with his family--and friends--including several of our classmates--but time and distance prevents that. I will reach out to Nelda and let her know that I will be there 'in sprit.' Tyke, as I pointed out when I learned of his passing, was my oldest friend...we go back to 3rd grade and lived across from each other on Winding Creek.
We're at time that we are losing those folks we grew up with, who helped nurture us, and it's sad to learn of the passing of someone like Tyke that was a part of some of the best years of my life. The memories I have of him, and also our four years at ECHS with so many others, helped shape our lives. I am forever grateful for the time I had with Tyke and particularly cherish the time I had with him (and Ken Miller) at our 50th reunion.
Tyke and I have been friends for more than 60 years. In the last couple years Tyke, Steve Allen,Nick Stubbs, Bill Siverling and I along with our wives have been going to dinner once a month; enjoying the company and coversations of days past. It is great to have been able to have that time with Tyke. He will be greatly missed.
Hi, John, Thanks for your kind remembrance of Tyke--since moving to the South over 45 years ago, I did not get out to the coast as often as I used to, particularly since my parents, brother and sister-in-law passed. I visited with Tyke and Nelda when I came out for the 50th reunion and when Nelda called, I was stunned. Tyke and I grew up across the street from each other on Winding Creek Road...he was my oldest friend. Miss him greatly. If you go to the viewing or service this weekend, please pass along my love and condolences to Nelda and the family.
thanks for posting this, Steven....it's just past 1 PM here, and they should be saying 'good-bye' to Tyke at his service in Citrus Heights. I just posted a tribute to Tyke on my Facebook page. Lots of memories, lots of great times we had growing up when we did. We are all lucky to have grown up at a time when the USA, was the greatest, and, perhaps, most feared nation in the world. We had helped our European allies lick Hitler and Nazism, we had defeated Imperial Japan. We were looked up with respect. Our leaders were strong, and each person, regardless of upbringing, station in life, political persausion, were behing the USA--and it's leadership. Regardless of their Liberal or Conservative views, it seems all were united behind FDR and Ike. Life was good.
Frederick Vail
Greetings, classmates,
It is with great sadness that I have to inform you of the passing of another classmate, Charles "Tyke" Mc Connell who passed away yesterday, April 10, after a series of ongoing illnesses. Tyke had suffered a stroke several years ago and his brother, Vernon, had called me to inform me of Tyke's healh issues. I called him immediately and we had a nice, but short, conversation. I could tell he did not have all his strength and his voice was weak. This morning, Tyke's wife, Nelda, called me with the sad news.
Ironically, when she called, I was listening to some 50's music on the computer: Pat Boone, Fats Domino and Elvis, and I was putting together some notes for a class I am teaching at Lipscomb University, Pat Boone's alma matter. Some of my fondest memories of Tyke and I were us listening to the rock music of that great era we were all fortunate to grow up in. Songs with lyrics you could remember, and melodies that you could sing along too. I have vivid memories of sitting in my bedroom, or in Tyke's (we lived across the street from each other on Winding Creek Road) and playing our favorite 45's on one of those portable suitcase type record players we all had in our rooms. Ricky Nelson, Pat Boone, Connie Francis, Elvis, Buddy Holly, were among our favorites.
Tyke was my oldest friend. We went to Arden School, beginning in the third grade, then Orville Wright, when it opened, for the 4th, 5th and 6th grade, and on to Starr King when it opened, for the 7th and 8th grade. Tyke was always into airplanes and flying. He, and his Dad, Mac, a civiian employee at Mc Clellan AFB, had a shop behind their garage and they would work on model airplanes. Tyke could hardly wait to learn to fly and owned at least one airplane, perhaps, several. He also had a Corvette. Between a great car, and his own airplane, Tyke was 'living the dream.'
In '56 or '57, my Mother drove Tyke and I to San Francisco, where we met my Father at SFO airport, where we boarded a DC-3 "tail banger" prop plane, and took our first commerical flight together. Somewhere, in a long lost box of stuff, I have the picture my Father took that night as the two of us boarded one of those staircases they would roll out to the plane. Even if I never find the actual photo, my memory of that major 'event' is etched in my mind. We were both wearing suites and looked like quite the young adventurers.
Another memory is of Tyke, Phil Fraser, and I, dressed up for Halloween with Phil as "Tramp," me as "Lady," and Tyke as the 'dog catcher.'
The last time I visited Tyke was at our 50th class reunion. In fact, I stayed with Tyke and Nelda at their home in Lincoln. We went to the Sam's Hauf Brau get together on Friday, and, as fate would have it, it was that weekend, Sam's and the reunion, that I would see Tyke and our neighbor and classmate on Cathay Way, Ken Miller, for the last time. When we were not playing football or catch on Tyke's front lawn, the three of us were playing "Army" on my back lawn. As Peggy Lee sang, "those were the days, my friends, I wished they'd never end, those were the days, those WERE THE DAYS.
RIP, old and cherished friend. Get a good rest. See you on the 'other side.'
Fred
Joan Bartholomew (Hicks)
I am so sad to hear the news about Tyke McConnell. I, too, remember Tyke from Orville Wright and Starr King before El Camino .Iam glad that I was able to talk with him at the 50th reunion. I will always remember his infectious smile.
Joan Bartholomew Hicks
Stephen Allen
Family and friends are invited to a viewing Friday, April 20 from 4 pm to 8 pm at East Lawn Mortuary. A Memorial service will be held at 11 am Saturday, April 21 with a reception to follow at East Lawn Mortuary, 5757 Greenback Lane, Sacramento, CA 95841.
You will be missed.
Steve Allen
Frederick Vail
Greetings from Franklin, TN, Steve,
and 'thanks' for updating us on Tyke's memorial service and visitation. I wish I could be there with his family--and friends--including several of our classmates--but time and distance prevents that. I will reach out to Nelda and let her know that I will be there 'in sprit.' Tyke, as I pointed out when I learned of his passing, was my oldest friend...we go back to 3rd grade and lived across from each other on Winding Creek.
We're at time that we are losing those folks we grew up with, who helped nurture us, and it's sad to learn of the passing of someone like Tyke that was a part of some of the best years of my life. The memories I have of him, and also our four years at ECHS with so many others, helped shape our lives. I am forever grateful for the time I had with Tyke and particularly cherish the time I had with him (and Ken Miller) at our 50th reunion.
Fred 615.297.0700
John Mistler
Tyke and I have been friends for more than 60 years. In the last couple years Tyke, Steve Allen,Nick Stubbs, Bill Siverling and I along with our wives have been going to dinner once a month; enjoying the company and coversations of days past. It is great to have been able to have that time with Tyke. He will be greatly missed.
John Mistler
Frederick Vail
Hi, John, Thanks for your kind remembrance of Tyke--since moving to the South over 45 years ago, I did not get out to the coast as often as I used to, particularly since my parents, brother and sister-in-law passed. I visited with Tyke and Nelda when I came out for the 50th reunion and when Nelda called, I was stunned. Tyke and I grew up across the street from each other on Winding Creek Road...he was my oldest friend. Miss him greatly. If you go to the viewing or service this weekend, please pass along my love and condolences to Nelda and the family.
Fred
Stephen Allen
Below is a link to Tyke's obituary in the Sacramento Bee:
http://digital.olivesoftware.com/Olive/ODN/SacBee/shared/ShowArticle.aspx?doc=MSB%2F2018%2F04%2F18&entity=Ad01403&sk=8CC167EE&mode=image
Frederick Vail
thanks for posting this, Steven....it's just past 1 PM here, and they should be saying 'good-bye' to Tyke at his service in Citrus Heights. I just posted a tribute to Tyke on my Facebook page. Lots of memories, lots of great times we had growing up when we did. We are all lucky to have grown up at a time when the USA, was the greatest, and, perhaps, most feared nation in the world. We had helped our European allies lick Hitler and Nazism, we had defeated Imperial Japan. We were looked up with respect. Our leaders were strong, and each person, regardless of upbringing, station in life, political persausion, were behing the USA--and it's leadership. Regardless of their Liberal or Conservative views, it seems all were united behind FDR and Ike. Life was good.
Fred