Tyrone Brown Knox, affectionately known as “Bumpsey”, was born on October 2, 1949 in East Chicago, Indiana
to Delores Brown and was lovingly adopted by the late Ira Knox, Sr. Tyrone grew up between the
Chicagoland area, Washington, DC, and Richmond, VA, and often spent his childhood summers in North Carolina.

The Knox family would later relocate to Akron, OH where Tyrone graduated from Buchtel High School.
He went on to attend the University of Akron. His involvement in school-based sports and his outgoing
personality gave credence to the nickname “Mr. Willie” or “Neighborhood Willie” by his classmates and friends.

During his time at the university, Tyrone’s love for brotherhood led to his initiation into the Alpha Tau Chapter of
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. As an undergraduate, Tyrone held a national position, serving as the
Assistant Vice President of the Midwestern Region.

With 50 years of active membership, Tyrone was a proud Life Member and his love for Alpha was demonstrated
in his continued service to the Alpha Tau Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha (Tulsa, OK).

Tyrone took a pause from his collegiate experience to enlist in the United States Army.
Over the course of his twenty-one year tenure, Tyrone was stationed in Germany, Honduras, Panama, Korea,
and nationally in Lawton, OK, Los Angeles, CA, and Anniston, AL. Upon retiring from the military,
Tyrone completed his undergraduate education at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, OK, earning a
Bachelor's degree in Safety Management.
Tyrone’s passion for education and community service led him to the Tulsa Public School system,
where he taught JROTC both at the middle and high school level until his retirement.

Tyrone was a proud Prince Hall Mason. He was active in Amity Lodge #236, W.M. Hopson #30,
Midwest Consistory #57, and Zoan Temple #100.
Known for his infamous camel walk at the Potentate Ball each year, Tyrone earned the endeared nickname
“Boogie” by his Masonic brothers and Eastern Star sisters.

Tyrone was passionate about service to the community. He actively volunteered in various initiatives with the
Tulsa National Panhellenic Council (NPHC) and participating organizations, Tulsa’s Sickle Cell 5K,
and youth initiatives with his beloved fraternity. His love for athleticism prompted Tyrone to referee
basketball games at various schools in
North Tulsa and led to his participation with the Antioch Baptist Church Walking Group.

Tyrone’s spiritual development was shaped under the guidance of his maternal grandparents,
the late Rev. Robert Ragin, Sr. and the late Evangelist Cora Ragin Bishop.
He was baptized under the pastoral leadership of
Mother Sue I. Edwards at Apostolic Faith Holiness Church in Richmond, VA.

Tyrone would later attend the church of his wife, St. Augustine Catholic Church.

Tyrone married Sandra B. Burns on March 21, 1981. To this union, one daughter, Samantha was born.
Tyrone loved sharing stories
involving his beloved daughter and granddaughters. He looked forward to his summers spent with them,
as he would play “summer camp” to his granddaughters, Reagan and Zoe Stevens.

Tyrone was preceded in death by: his grandparents Rev. Robert Ragin, Sr. and Evangelist Cora Ragin Bishop,
uncle Melvin Ragin, sister Tamela Knox, father Ira Knox, and parents-in-love Joe and Maxine Burns.
He leaves to cherish his memory: his mother Delores Knox, wife Sandra, daughter Samantha,
granddaughters Reagan and Zoe Stevens, brother Ira Knox, Jr., uncles Clarence Hopson (Liane),
Larry Ragin, and Robert Ragin (Valencia), aunts Mary R. Page and Itsuko Aono, in-laws Jo Anna and
Gregory Patton, sister/ cousin Paula Carmack,
special cousins Sandra Bush, Claudia Brown, and Debra White, along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins,
and friends.

Services for Mr. Tyrone Brown Knox will be Friday April 2, 2021 at 10AM at Greater Union Baptist Church in Tulsa.

Interment will follow at The National Cemetery in Fort Gibson at 1PM with Full Military Honors.

Visitation will be Thursday from 1PM until 6PM.

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