Burnan Creig Tyler, 78, of Lexington, South Carolina, entered into eternal rest on Monday, August 31, 2026. Born on March 13, 1948, in Conway, South Carolina, Creig was the son of the late Reverend Royce Burnan Tyler and Violet Fenters Tyler.
Creig graduated from Beaufort High School in 1966, where he competed on both the Tidal Wave football and track and field teams. During his senior year at Beaufort, he broke the South Carolina state record in the discus throw—a record that stood for several years into the 1970s. He graduated from The Citadel in 1970, where he was a three-year starter at offensive guard for the Bulldogs. Selected as a co-captain for the 1969 season, Creig earned first-team All-Southern Conference and Honorable Mention All-American honors during his senior year. In 2016, he was inducted into The Citadel Athletic Hall of Fame.
Known affectionately as “Coach Tyler” or “Mr. Tyler” by thousands of former players, students, and staff members, Creig was a lifelong educator. He coached high school football for 17 years, with stops at Spring Valley and Irmo High Schools, while also serving as head football coach and athletic director at Manning, Lugoff-Elgin, and Lancaster High Schools. Following his coaching career, he transitioned into school administration, serving as principal of both Lugoff-Elgin and Lexington High Schools over the course of nearly 20 years. Creig dearly loved the communities of Lugoff-Elgin and Lexington, and the relationships he formed with students, teachers, and the residents of those communities meant so much to him.
More important than all of these accomplishments, however, was the love Creig had for his family. He was married for 56 incredible years to the love of his life, Gilda Reynolds Tyler of Lamar, South Carolina. He was not only a loving husband but also a devoted father to his children, Britt and Jared. That love grew even stronger with the arrival of his three cherished grandchildren: Tyler, Logan, and Emerson. More than anything, Creig loved being surrounded by his family—joking and laughing together, sharing meals during the holidays, and tailgating at Citadel Bulldog football games. For so many wonderful years, he and Gilda were the beating heart of the family.
Creig is survived by his loving wife, Gilda; his children, Brittany Pool (Ryan) and Jared Tyler (Stacey); his grandchildren, Tyler Olivia Pool, Logan Ellis Pool, and Emerson Royce Tyler. He was predeceased by his parents and his brothers, Tommy Royce Tyler and Rodney Nolan Tyler.
The visitation and memorial services will be held at Barr-Price Funeral Home in Lexington, located at 609 Northwood Road, Lexington, South Carolina, 29072. The visitation will commence on Friday, September 4, 2026, at 2:00 pm, followed by the memorial service at 3:00 pm. Because of limited space, the family respectfully asks that attendance at the visitation and funeral service be limited to extended family and a small circle of close friends, and deeply appreciates everyone’s understanding, love, and support.
We invite you to share your fond memories and photos of Creig on his memorial page as we celebrate his life and the love he shared with us all. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Susan B. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. komen.org