James Donald Tyndall

James Tyndall, Lieutenant Colonel, US Army (Retired)

James "Jim" or "Colonel" Donald Tyndall, 82, passed away on Friday, March 13, 2026. He was born on August 23, 1943, in Green Bay, WI to the late James H. and Florence B. Tyndall.

Jim grew up in Green Bay and was an athlete. He was a three-sport letterman at Green Bay West High School in track, wrestling, and football, the latter as team manager. He was the Fox River Valley Conference mile champion during the 1960-61 season. Following high school graduation, he attended the University of Wisconsin Extension Center in Green Bay for two years receiving an associate's degree and playing on the center's conference championship basketball team in 1963. After a one-year hiatus to earn funds for continued education he enrolled at the University of Wisconsin main campus in Madison in the fall of 1964. There he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Arts degree in 1967 and 1968 respectively.

Following graduation in June 1968, he received a draft notice during the Vietnam War and entered military service in November 1968. Following basic infantry training at Fort Dix, NJ and combat engineer training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO, he completed 23 weeks of Combat Engineer Officer Candidate School at Ft. Belvoir, VA. Jim graduated in September 1969 as a 2nd Lieutenant and opting for a military intelligence commission. He then attended US Army counterintelligence school at Fort Holabird, MD, graduating in January 1970.

Over a nearly 23 year military career his assignments included German language training in Monterey, CA; execution of US Presidential directives concerning natural disaster relief operations tasking at Headquarters 6 th Army, the Presidio, San Francisco, CA for the western half of the USA from 1976 through 1980 including: western state forest fire suppression, Loveland, CO; flash flood support; and Teton Dam disaster relief operations; counterintelligence operations at various locations in the continental US, the Republic of South Korea, Central Army Group (CENTAG) of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Heidelberg, Federal Republic of Germany, and the Pentagon, Washington, D.C.

Military decorations include the US Army Legion of Merit, Allied Meritorious Service Medal, US Army Meritorious Service Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal, US Army Airborne Parachute Wings, expert marksmanship medals, and numerous US, allied, and foreign service awards.

Following military retirement in 1991, he was employed by the US Defense Investigative Service (DIS), Arlington, VA, as a special agent. After concluding that service in mid-1997 he returned to Wisconsin. Subsequent part time employment included lifeguard duty at the Door County YMCA - Fish Creek, maintenance work at the Birch Creek Music Center in Egg Harbor, and volunteer work at The Ridges Sanctuary in Bailey's Harbor.

During his retirement, he utilized his artistic background for consignment projects and to donate portraiture and various artwork to the Door County YMCA, Birch Creek Music Performance Center, and The Ridges Sanctuary.

His sense of humor, his protective nature of those he loved, the care and respect he showed all living things, his artistic abilities, his generosity, his ever-present willingness to help others, and his love of nature, history, art, and dancing, will live on in our memories.

Left to grieve their loss and celebrate his life are his brother, Jeffrey Tyndall, Sr.; his daughter, Allison Tyndall and her husband, Eric Myers; stepsons, Brian Jones and John (Lynn) Jones; stepdaughters, Cynthia (David) Williquette, Jennifer Jones and her husband, Michael Zoelle; grandchildren, Ethan Jones, Nat Jones, Alexandria (Robbie) Neuville, Caiti Dworak, Sarah (Sam) Lynch, Sean (Dakoda Sherman) Heesacker; great-grandchildren, Carter Jansen, Zander Neuville, Occie Dworak, Addyson Dworak, Beau Lynch; cousin, Lyle Johnson; and additional extended family; as well as the many friends he made in his time growing up in Green Bay, his college days at UW at Madison, his many years of service in the U.S. Army, and his retirement years spent in beautiful Door County.

Jim was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Maryann (nee, Jurica) (Jones) Tyndall; his parents, James and Florence; his daughter, Stephanie Tyndall; sister-in-law, Cheryl (nee, Meade) Tyndall; nephews, Jeffrey Tyndall, Jr., and James David Tyndall and his wife, Laura (nee, Miller) Tyndall.

Friends and family will gather at Calvary Lutheran Church, 1301 S. Ridge Rd., from 9am to 11am on Saturday, April 25; Service to follow at 11am with Pastor Ben Williams officiating. Military Honors will conclude the service. To send online condolences, please go to www.BlaneyFuneralHome.com.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to The Ridges Sanctuary in Baileys Harbor, WI, The Wounded Warrior Project, The Door County Land Trust in Sturgeon Bay, WI, or your local chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.