Harry Lee Tyson, Jr

Harry Lee Tyson, Jr., of Leesburg, Virginia, passed from this world on April 27, 2020, at Inova Loudoun Hospital. He was 79 years old. He lived a life of dedication to his family, his community, the education of young people, and to God. Harry, also known to some friends and family as “H. L.,” was born June 14, 1940 in Shawnee, Oklahoma, to parents Harry Lee Tyson and Margaret Arriele (Likens) Tyson. He was the oldest of three children, with siblings Margaret Ann and David. In the late 1940s the family moved to Fort Worth, Texas, where his father was employed as a chemist and his mother, who was an amazing cook, was a cafeteria manager in local schools.

Harry’s passion over the years was athletic training and education. He earned his undergraduate degree in physical education and athletic training at New Mexico State University. He earned his master’s degree from Northeast Missouri State University in Kirksville, Missouri (now Truman University). While there, he met and fell in love with fellow student Betty Jo Fleshman, who earned her bachelor’s degree in math and physics. They married in 1965. Harry was hired as head athletic trainer and instructor of health and physical education courses at West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas, where he worked from 1962 to 1967.

In 1967, Harry and Betty moved to Ohio to start careers at Bowling Green State University. Harry was hired as an athletic trainer and instructor of health and physical education courses. Betty joined the clerical staff and later became a clerical supervisor in the office of registration and records. Together they were very active in BGSU college life and in church life at First Baptist Church, Waterville, Ohio, especially in music ministry and mission programs. Harry competed in the sport of curling through the Bowling Green Curling Club at the newly-built BGSU ice rink. He was also a volunteer with the American Red Cross of the Greater Toledo Area for many years. He continued course work at BGSU and Ohio State University, nearly earning a doctorate degree.

Harry was a fiercely loyal husband, and when Betty was struck with cancer, he lovingly cared for her during a long illness, until her death in 1995. In all, Harry would serve at BGSU for 29 years in positions including instructor of health and physical education courses, head athletic trainer, assistant track and cross-country coach, academic counselor for athletics, and coordinator of facilities and scheduling for the School of Health and P.E. A note from one student describes the influence he had on his students: “Dear Mr. Tyson, it’s hard to just say thanks to a person who has done so much for me. You have changed my life and I hope I can do the same for a student someday.” Harry retired from BGSU in 1996.

His life began a new chapter in 1998 when he met Janet Dickens of Loudoun County, Virginia, who had lost her spouse in prior years as well. They met online when internet matchmaking sites were a new thing. He relocated to Virginia to start a new life with Janet, and they married in 1999. During his first few years in Virginia, Harry continued his connection with higher education as the manager of the Lee Center for student activities at Marymount University in Arlington. When Janet became the owner of Jerry’s Flowers and Gifts in Leesburg around 2002, Harry was a supportive partner.

A few years later, Harry also began a business venture, opening Razzle Dairy Bar, and that is what he became most known for in Leesburg. It was a well-loved place for ice cream treats where families would bring their kids and youth sports teams would stop after practice or games. Harry treated his customers as family.

Harry was a Christian who loved the Lord Jesus Christ. Although always a Baptist at heart, he attended the Leesburg Church of the Nazarene with Janet and they were both very involved there. He had a wonderful singing voice and sang in church choir and worship music teams, something he did wherever he lived over the years. He loved many types of music, but he and Janet especially loved the music of Bill and Gloria Gaither and other gospel singers and attended their concerts whenever possible.

Rarely would you find Harry without a book. He was an avid reader of books of all kinds, from detective novels and mysteries to history, biographies, Louis L’Amour westerns, and anything else he could find. He would finish a book every couple of days and would never part with a book once he owned it.

Harry loved watching all sports on television, both college and professional, all teams. He watched the news every day and kept up on current events. He was also a fan of old Western movies, John Wayne, and the Perry Mason courtroom drama series. Harry taught his Virginia family to play 42, a domino game popular with his Texas and Oklahoma clan.

Harry was known as a snappy dresser, favoring dress shirts, slacks and dress shoes every day, and often a sport coat or jacket. His friends would joke that they suspected he slept in a suit and dress shoes each night.

Harry loved a good cheeseburger (no pickle), Costco apple pie, black coffee, a plain old peanut butter sandwich (jelly optional) and milk. He loved sitting with friends over a cup of coffee and talking about anything and everything. His wry sense of humor would always come out, and you could never anticipate what he might say next.

When Janet’s health began to falter in 2016, Harry was again a devoted husband and was at her side through many hospitalizations over the next three years and helping her as she worked to keep her business going. Harry experienced heartbreak again when she passed away in 2019. Harry did not get to live long after that, passing away less than a year later.

He made many friends in many places and will be remembered, loved, and missed. In addition to Betty and Janet, Harry was preceded in death by his father Harry Tyson, mother Margaret Tyson, and sister Margaret Ann Henry.

He is survived by his brother David Tyson, brother-in-law Robert Henry, two nieces, two nephews, three grand-nieces, four grand-nephews, and nine cousins. He is also survived by stepson Gary Dickens and his wife Beverly, stepdaughter Linda Curtiss and husband Ver, stepson Troy Dickens and wife Elaine, grandchildren Amy Dickens, John Dickens, Michael Dickens, Victoria (Dickens) Lansing and her husband Tim Lansing, and one great-grandchild, Evianna Lansing.

Harry will be interred next to Betty at Dale Cemetery near Shawnee, Oklahoma. His spirit has entered eternal life, bound for a heavenly home with the God he served while on Earth. Funeral arrangements are by Colonial Funeral Home in Leesburg, Virginia, and Walker Funeral Service in Shawnee, Oklahoma.

Please visit the website of Colonial Funeral home for details on service arrangements: www.colonialfuneralhome.com