Tyler James Wright, 29, while doing what he loved most, fishing on a peaceful lake, had an accident falling off his kayak, and died Sunday, May 5, 2024.
On Sunday, Tyler told his friends and girlfriend that he was going fishing to enjoy the beauty of Lake Michigan’s Little Bay De Noc. Surely, he found peace and tranquility fishing in that scenic environment. His family is grateful for the extensive efforts by the greater Escanaba area search and rescue teams and volunteers including air, water, and land.
Tyler was raised in Port Huron by his parents, Alvin and Pamela Wright, currently from Marathon, Florida and Garden, Michigan. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Grand Valley State University and served as an English teacher, basketball coach and golf coach at Marathon High School, in Marathon, Florida.
He was an avid fisherman and engaged in a variety of sports including golf, basketball, and tennis. “I want to catch a big fish,” was something he told his family and friends often. In 2023, with his mom and dad in the family boat, Tyler reeled in a 79” sailfish after an hour’s battle. Tyler also engaged his big heart devoting time and support to his grandparents, George and Eva May Racz of Fort Gratiot.
Tyler’s great love of family included his beloved brother, Connor, and his step- brother, Steven, as well as Steven’s young children, Aiden, Henry, and Xander. His cousins, Sarah, Amy, Antonio, and Santana will sorely miss him and his great sense of humor and devotion to family. He is also survived by his aunts and uncles, David and Debra Ladensack of Fort Gratiot and Ardie and Cynthia Harrison of Hartford, Connecticut.
His girlfriend and best friend of five years, Antoinette Cave, was the love of his life and they enjoyed their time together preparing for careers and taking many trips, including to Ireland and the western U.S.
May God give his family and friends grace as they now slowly put one foot in front of the other walking without him by their sides.
Tyler was preceded in death by his grandparents, Harold and Nonda Wright; and uncle, Arthur Wright.
Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Monday and 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday, followed by funeral services at 12:30 p.m. in Karrer-Simpson Funeral Home, 1720 Elk Street, Port Huron.
Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Fort Gratiot.
Memorial contributions may be made out to Marathon High School for the Tyler Wright Scholarship, 350 Sombero Beach Rd., Marathon, FL 33050 (Attn: Pat Bourcier), and will be awarded to a graduate at Marathon High School later this month. To send condolences, visit karrersimpson.com.
