Tyrone Christian, a leader in the effort to create the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., passed away January 10 at age 64.
The St. Louis native and 1973 graduate of Christian Brothers College (CBC) High School served as the chief marketing strategist for the Washington, D.C., MLK Memorial Foundation Project Inc. He led the marketing, creative, media and brand development efforts to create awareness and raise funds. Under his marketing leadership, the foundation raised more than $120 million to build the monument, and he secured more than $500 million in media.
“While we are deeply grieving our loved one, we are exponentially proud of the legacy he left his family and this nation,” his brother Brian Jones said on behalf of their family.
“Our hope is that history and future generations will remember my brother’s pivotal role in helping make the MLK Memorial a reality. His efforts had a huge impact on American history and an even greater impact on the African American-community. We celebrate his legacy and his accomplishments with great happiness.”
He served as a trailblazer in a marketing career that spanned nearly four decades. In 1986, he became the first person of color elected president of the Orlando Advertising Federation. He is also one of only three people of color appointed by Governors Jeb Bush and Charlie Crist to serve on the Florida Tourism Commission.
He was founder, president and managing partner of TRC Consulting Group, LLC, an Orlando-based communications firm that handled branding, advertising, public relations and digital media. He worked with brands such as General Motors, Boeing, the National Basketball Association, General Electric, Toyota, Pepsi, Holiday Inn, the State of Missouri and the country of Mexico.
In 2010, he was named one of the Top 25 Most Extraordinary Minds in Sales & Marketing by the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International.
He was an alumnus of the University of Missouri-Columbia where he played football for the 1975-76 Mizzou Tigers and graduated with a BA degree in Radio/TV/Film. He was recognized as a Distinguished Alumnus in 2004 from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Arts & Science.
Upon the completion and unveiling of the MLK monument, he presented his beloved alma mater with a replica of the memorial in January 2012 that is now proudly displayed in Ellis Library, the university’s main library.
He was deeply loyal to his high school alma mater with its school motto of “Men for Tomorrow, Brothers for Life.” He deeply cherished his brotherhood with his CBC classmates until the end. While he was unable to attend their recent 45-year class reunion, he was in regular close contact by phone with all his brothers.
He also dearly loved and provided for his family. Upon the loss of his brother Wallace, he took his nephew Joshua under his wing.
Christian is survived by his sister Henrietta and brother Brian; sister-in-law, Michelle; nieces and nephews Theresa, Lateesha, Joshua, Brianna, Nathan; great nieces and nephews Britney, Jaden, Leila; and a host of loving friends and those who loved him like family.
Two services will be held to celebrate and commemorate his life. The first will be held at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Winter Park, Florida at 10 a.m. Saturday, January 26. The second will be held at Christian Brothers College High School at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 2.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that people donate to the Tyrone Christian Memorial Fund at GoFundMe to fund end-of-life expenses and to benefit the Washington DC MLK Memorial Foundation and UNICEF.
