Eugene

Wyatt

Eugene "Tinker" Wyatt of Wright City Missouri passed away on May 11, 2024.  Tinker was born January 22, 1933 in Saint Louis, Missouri to the late Leona Wyatt (Resper) and Jute Wyatt.  He was also preceded in death by his brothers Robert Wyatt and Earl R Abernathy.  Eugene/Tinker had reached the age of 91.  He passed away in his home in the early morning hours with his daughter Alfredia and a great friend Joyce Herron at his bedside.
Tinker loved sitting on his deck, listening to the blues while patting his foot to the beat and reminiscing.  He was very partial to his 538 Western channel and not until the 5:00PM news came on would the channel be changed.
At 91 years old he was the eldest man living in the community affectionately called "J Road".  He moved to Wright City in his teen years and caught the eye of Bernice Sydnor.  She became his wife and preceded him in death after 57 years of marriage.  He is survived by three children: Alfredia Smith of Saint Louis, Missouri, Lester Wyatt of El Paso, Texas and Ivan Wyatt of Maryland Heights, Missouri.  He has a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, great nieces, great-great nieces, great-great-great nieces, nephews, great nephews, great-great nephews and one great-great- great-great nephew.
Eugene worked for Israel Brothers Construction Company that was eventually brought out by Alberici Construction Company.  He worked 33 years building Missouri Highways doing hard manual labor when there were not any high-powered machines to lighten the workload. He was blessed to collect a pension for 34 years. Every year after his late eighties to receive his pension, he had to sign an affidavit stating that he was alive and still kicking.

After retirement, he eventually became bored and landed a job at a manufacturing company that rebuilt carburetors for 18-wheeler trucks in Warrenton, Missouri.  It was no secret that Tinker liked to have a beer or two.  A story was told to the family that basically he drank beer in the company parking lot while having his "lunch". The owner's younger son, being aware of rules, regulations and potential liabilities wanted his daddy to fire Tinker from the company for that reason.  The Big Daddy owner of the company told the younger son to leave Eugene alone because he did the work of six men.  The Daddy and Son of the company reached a compromise. Eugene had to leave their company parking lot and drank his "beer lunches" off the premises but continued working at the company.

The first time Irene J. Smith, his niece from Saint Louis met him, her daddy Earl, Tinker's youngest brother asked, "Well, what did you think about your Uncle Tinker"? As the story goes, she told her daddy, "I like him, and he looks like a "Black Paul Bunyan".  For those of you who don't know, Paul Bunyan is a giant lumberjack and folk hero in America and Canadian folklore.
Tinker was sad when he thought about all his friends and relatives that were no longer on earth.  Bottom line he had to make new friends.  This was no problem because he had a great personality and a humorous conversation. A matter of fact up to his last hours on this earth he kept that humor.  For example, the weekend hospice nurse was told if he asked for a beer it was given to him.  To verify the story, the nurse said, "Mr. Tinker, do you drink beer?"   He politely responded; do you have one?
Eugene who was affectionately known as Tinker and cared for by the "J Road Community".  He will be missed by everyone!
Lastly, Tinker's famous phrase was "If you saw him in a fight with a BEAR, come HELP THE BEAR!!!".
A Celebration of Tinker's Life will be held on Saturday, May 25, 2024 from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM at Martin Funeral Home in Warrenton. A Celebration of LIfe Service will begin at 12:00 PM also at the funeral home. A burial will follow at Wesley Smith Cemetery in Wright City. On line condolences may be given at www.martinfuneral.net. Memorial donations are suggested to be given to Wesley Smith Chapel.