JAMES TYREE JR. James Wilbur Tyree Jr., 63, a baccarat dealer, of Las Vegas, passed away Aug. 31, 2010. The funeral was previously held at Lytle Funeral Home. Burial was at Springdale Cemetery, both in Madison, Ind.

James Wilbur Tyree, Jr., was born July 12, 1947, in Tulsa, Oklahoma son of James Wilbur Tyree, Sr. and Thelma Ward Tyree. This only child was called "Jimmy" by his family and "Tree" by his friends. Jimmy attended schools throughout the United States and two foreign countries. He graduated, in 1965, from Wiesbaden High School, Germany, formerly known as General H.H. Arnold High School, Wiesbaden Germany, home of the Warriors.

He attended Ohio University, Athens, Ohio on a football scholarship and was a 1968 football letterwinner. He was a member of the most explosive Ohio University Bobcat team ever that stormed its way to a 10-0 regular season, a MAC championship, and an invitation to the Tangerine Bowl. The 1968 season also marked Ohio University's first ever appearance in the Top 20. He completed his undergraduate degree in 1969 from Ohio University. Jimmy was a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity

Jimmy worked in the gaming industry for more than twenty years. In the early 1970's, he was one of the first Blacks to work the front desk at the Tropicana Casino and also to stand floor at Bunion's Horseshoe. Throughout his career he worked at a number of renowned places including the Sands, Circus Circus, and the Excalibur Resort and Casino.

Jimmy is survived by his two daughters, Shonda Marie Crable and SiMone Tyree; a son, Sean Tyree; and four grandchildren, Lana Marie Curtis, Camille Alann Curtis, Adrian Charles Henderickson, and Neveah Weathersbee; an aunt Clearese Tyree; and a host of cousins and friends.

Visition will be held from 10:30 to 11:15 AM Saturday at Lytle Funeral Chapel.

A private family gathering will conclude the arrangements at Springdale Cemetery.