Jesse Parker Tyndall

Jesse Parker Tyndall January 9, 1925 – February 3, 2016 Dr. J.P. Tyndall, 91 of Wilson passed away Wednesday. His funeral services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Sunday at Joyner’s Funeral Home, Wilson. Interment will follow in Evergreen Memorial Park, Wilson. The family will receive friends 1 – 2:45 p.m. Sunday afternoon prior to the service at Joyner’s Funeral Home, 4100 Raleigh Road Parkway, Wilson. Dr. Tyndall was a longtime member of the faculty of Barton College (formerly Atlantic Christian College) in Wilson. He joined the faculty in 1949, and after retiring in 1990 continued to teach in Weekend College until 1999. While at Barton, he served as chairman of the Department of Science, and was instrumental in the continued success of many students. He was a master at taking average, or less than average, students and inspiring them to reach beyond their grasp. He was very proud of his students, and loved them all. He always had aspirations for offering new programs and degrees at Barton, and was the driving force and mastermind that brought the nursing degree program to the college in 1974. During his development of the nursing program, he so impressed the National League for Nursing, that he was appointed a member of the Board of Directors of their Council for Baccalaureate and Higher Degree Programs. He was appointed to the North Carolina League for Nursing where he served a term as president. He was so proud of his role bringing the School of Nursing to the college, and at his retirement, they presented him with a nursing pin and a plaque “Presented to J.P. Tyndall, our founder.” After his retirement, he was named Professor Emeritus, a title he treasured. He always maintained a great love for the college, saying “I really fell in love with Atlantic Christian College. It’s a love affair that has kept on throughout the years. It’s my life.” Dr. Tyndall received his Batchelor of Arts in Science from Atlantic Christian College, his master’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, his doctorate from the University of Florida, and did further study with the Duke University Marine Laboratory at Beaufort. Throughout his years, he made many contributions to his community, such as volunteering at Imagination Station and Meals on Wheels, serving as president of the Civitan Club, and working with the NC Academy of Science. He was a charter member and trustee of Westview Christian Church. He so loved his church and his church family. Among his numerous awards and honors, he was named a fellow for the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 1960, and was named outstanding Atlantic Christian College Alumnus of the Year in 1971. In 1975, he was appointed to the NC Advisory Council of Teacher Education and served as an advisor to the State Board of Education. In 1978, he was the recipient of the Heart of Downtown Wilson Associates Community Service Award. Dr. Tyndall is survived by his daughter, Patricia Barnes Edwards of Wilson; his grandsons, Brian Tyndall Edwards (Amanda) of Ventura, California, and Benjamin Thomas Edwards (Leigh Andersen) of Wilson; his niece, Rosa Ann Morris (Delma) of Stella; his nephews, John W. Gray (Gloria) of Walkersville, Maryland, Robert E. Gray (Mary Louise) of Wilson, and Michael Phillips of Kinston; his cousin, William D. Tyndall (Betty) of Wilson, and sister-in-law, Celesta P. Beamon of Stantonsburg. He was preceded in death by his wife, Olivia P. Tyndall; his parents, Herbert and Rosa Parker Tyndall, and his sisters, Alma T. Phillips and Irene T. Gray. Flowers are welcome or memorials may be directed to Barton College, for the Tyndall Family Scholarships, PO Box 5000, Wilson, North Carolina 27893. Condolences may be directed to www.joyners.net.