I had the absolute pleasure and honor of knowing Tyler from "The Lowell", the high school newspaper at Lowell High School. He and I were in the same year, and during our junior and senior year we worked on many journalism stories together. Not only were we fellow writers, but he became one of the core members of the journalism friend group we had, and I cannot imagine my high school experience without him in it.

Tyler was an incredible friend, always making people laugh and bringing light wherever he went. His love for the San Francisco Giants was one of the the best things, and the entire journalism room was more excited for him than we were for the team when they won the world series in 2014. His incredible leadership of the Best Buddies program was inspiring on all fronts, and he was the perfect soul to make such an impact on the experience of so many kids at a highly competitive, and often cut-throat, high school like Lowell. Tyler was a helper to his core.

Many fun times were had in S108 at Lowell, and Tyler always stood up for what was right. He was a person who knew how to bring joy in every way, and who made a lasting impact on every single one of us. One specific memory I have of Tyler's kindness was when he indulged me in 2014, when Taylor Swift released the "Blank Space" music video and I played it nonstop -- probably on loop, in all honesty, and it was annoying for everyone but me. He said that while he was not a Swiftie, if it brought the office (I was the only one in the room at the time) joy he was happy to participate. 

Seeing everything he accomplished after graduation makes my heart grow ten sizes -- he was always someone who stood firmly with his passions, and committed 110% to everything he did. My prayers and thoughts are with him and the Perkins family -- Tyler was truly one of a kind. May he rest in peace, and I hope with every fiber that his light will continue to shine down on those he knew. May we meet again.

I met Tyler at Suzy and Gary's wedding.  

In November of 2022, I had the wonderful opportunity to get to know Tyler when my husband Jim hired Tyler for manual labor at our home.  Thanksgiving was around the corner and Tyler was staying with his his grandparents, Cy and Carol.  Tyler did not have a car, so Jim picked Tyler up at his grandparents' home or Tyler drove "Grandma's Van".  

Tyler touched our lives during that short time.  I will forever remember his warm smile, the sparkle in his eyes, and the ease of conversation with him.  We talked about old rock and roll from the late 60's and 70's.  Tyler shared wonderful stories about concerts he attended with his Dad.

Jim and Tyler spent countless hours together that week working side by side, conversing about books they had both read, and their love of family.  

Tyler spoke so lovingly of his Mom, Dad, Madeline, Cy and Carol, and Suzy and Suzy.

Charley and Susan raised an absolutely amazing young man.  Tyler was intelligent, and kind.  He was an old soul with wisdom beyond his years.

My deepest sympathies, love and prayers to Charley and Susan, Madeline, Cy and Carol, Suzy and Gary, and all of Tyler's family.

Love,

Ellen

(This is reposting of my condolence.)

I met Tyler in February 2024 at a meditation service of Self-Realization Fellowship in Eugene, Oregon. I was amazed by his sense of peace, his beautiful smile and his bright, piercing blue eyes. His story of how he came to visit our chapel struck me as divine guidance. I wanted to get to know him better so I invited him to go hiking and have a meal. We repeated these activities many times over the next several months. I felt delighted when we agreed to go summer backpacking together. Tyler‘s apparent absence of ego, his courage and faith, his humility and kindness were so impressive to me. I felt a strong love for him.

After every hike, at home with my wife, I described my impressions of Tyler. She asked what he looked like, and I said, “He looks like Jesus without a beard.“

Our meditation group has an occasional six hour meditation, which Tyler attended. During these meditations Tyler‘s profound stillness and depth of concentration throughout the entire six hours bespoke of someone who was not at all new to meditation. Tyler‘s description of his deep awakening during meditation further convinced me of this. I felt that I was in the presence of a “saint in the making.“

My sense of loss in Tyler‘s passing feels profound. I miss him greatly, but my goal is to replace my sadness with deep gratitude that our paths once again crossed on our soul’s individual journeys toward union with the divine.