The title of Retired Navy Commander Odeen Tyre’s two volume book-set is an attention grabber by itself.
“My Mother-in-Law Was A Bear Hunter” is Tyre’s book chronicling the lives and experiences of those who served in the military spanning all the way back to the year 125 A.D. up to the recent withdrawal of U.S. Forces from Afghanistan in 2021.
The book comes from an experience Tyre’s mother-in-law, Margaret Smith, had while bear hunting. While her husband, Bill, served in the military in World War, Mrs. Smith also “helped” Mr. Smith in a different kind of combat. Mrs. Smith helped battle the bears that often raided their Michigan apple orchard. The account is included in volume 2 of the series.
“My focus is on warrior heritage and military service and is drawn from historical records and eyewitness accounts,” Tyre said.
Volume 1 contains 461 pages and covers the period from the defense of Roman Emperor Hadrian’s wall in what is present day Great Britain and runs through the onset of World War I.
Volume 2, a total of 460 pages, covers World War I through the War in Afghanistan in 2021.
Some of the names featured in the book include a who’s who of local families including Bryson, Tyre, Griffis, Lee, Dixon, Lightsey, Dykes, Deal, Dukes, Patterson, Palmer, Smith, Roberson, McQuaig, Peterson, Poppell, Ross, Johnson, Marsh, Turner, Reese, Bullard, Bridges, Kennedy, Canady and Overstreet, just to name a few.
Tyre’s family is the area where Appling and Pierce County meet on Tyre Bridge Road.
He grew up in rural Lake County, FL and joined the Navy. He retired as a comander after 31 years of service including stints on three aircraft carriers and combat service in Vietnam, Korea and the Libyan operation.
Still active in community and church, Tyre and his wife live in Jacksonville, FL. He has two adult daughters and five grandchildren.
The Tyres enjoy live theatre, are fans of minor league sports and college football. Tyre also enjoys hunting and fishing.
The two book set is available by emailing Tyre at [email protected].
