Sensitive, caring, smart, funny, loving
Born in Los Angeles, Tyler moved with his family to Newnan, Georgia, when he was four years old. He grew up there, forming many early friendships that lasted from kindergarten onward.
Tyler was always a courageous leader and advocate. In pre-K, when his classmates were not listening, he would stand in front of the room and tell them to be quiet so the teacher could be heard. And when Tyler spoke, others listened. Later in school, when kids in his class bullied a girl, he defended her and let others know that was unacceptable behavior. His mother, Patricia, recalls that Tyler “always looked out for others and protected them.”
When Tyler was 10, a neighbor’s car struck him, and he suffered two broken legs. Despite the trauma, he held no resentment. When he came to, one of the first things he said was: “Mom, please don’t sue them.”
Some Tyler stories the family holds dear are now legend: At 11, he ordered a $100 skateboard online with his mother’s credit card and tried to deny it. There was the time he discovered a spider in his shoe and jumped onto the dining room table. Another time, after handling jalapeños for a school cooking project, he rubbed his eyes, then ran through the house insisting he was “on fire.” These moments stay vivid for his family and have been retold with laughter over the years.
Tyler was kind, quick-witted, funny, and charismatic. He could talk to anyone and make them feel comfortable. He was known for his ability to carry on a debate longer than anyone else, rarely backing down from a discussion.
Tyler loved being active and working with his hands. He took a class at the Central Education Center and graduated with a certificate in mechanics. With these skills, he worked on cars and restored his beloved Camaro. He was passionate about skateboarding and racing cars; he carried these passions through his teenage years and beyond.
The middle child of three, Tyler had an older sister and a younger brother. Substance use strained his relationship with his sister. Tyler warned his younger brother not to follow in his footsteps, and thankfully his advice was heeded. Tyler had many close friends and was often the person others turned to when they needed help. Many people later told his mother that Tyler had helped them through difficult times.
Tyler lived with substance use disorder for several years. During that time, his behavior could change significantly, often causing chaos within the family. They lived with constant worry, never knowing what might happen next, carrying the weight that so often accompanies loving someone in active addiction.
One thing his mother, Patricia, misses most about Tyler is his hugs. He hugged everyone. She now carries on that tradition. She also misses his humor, his sparkling blue eyes and long black eyelashes, and the way they shared excitement over simple things.
Patricia says her son’s passing put a new passion and purpose in her life. She educates people about the disease of addiction, and she started a local GRASP (Grief Recovery After Substance Passing) group. She is also on the board of Coweta F.O.R.C.E., which provides recovery support services. Patricia has come to admire the perseverance of those in recovery and advocates for them every chance she gets.
Tyler’s mother, Patricia Rudd, provided the information for this narrative.
December 14, 1992–October 16, 2013–Age 20
Narrative Writer: Barbara Francois
Portrait Artist: Jeremy Hebbel
