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Life story

" On September 11, 2023, Tyler Alan Vitayanuvatti, left us in spirit and is now free of his physical constraints. He never regained consciousness after suffering injuries that left him with no chance of recovery.

Tyler was born August 9, 1983 to parents Surapong and Gloria Vitayanuvatti and welcomed as the baby of the family. Described by his late mother to be cute as a mouse’s ear, even as an adult. As a child, he tagged along with his older sister and cousins. He could get talked into doing just about anything to win the affections of the company he kept, and that he did. After graduating Winder-Barrow High School in Georgia, he went on to study auto body collision repair at Northern Virginia Community College. While he had a passion for cars, he went on to work in the restaurant industry where he met his wife, Sineenart. In his last years he worked as the manager at their restaurant in Lovettsville.

Tyler was a devoted father, brother, and uncle, and spent much of his time caring for his family. From taking his daughter along on adventures, cooking meals for loved ones, to soothing his fussy niece with Bob Marley tunes. He found a best friend in his beautiful daughter, and it was rare you would see one of them without the other. They spent many days together at the park, swimming, hiking or just wrestling around. Tyler had many interests but anything he did with family and friends was his real joy. It could be a beach trip, watching fireworks, fishing, discussing astrology, skating, playing with our dad’s remote-controlled car...anything.

Tyler had a lifelong interest in skateboarding. He continued to mentor and share his passion with any kid that showed up at the skate park. He also inherited a love for music and cars from his late father. He admired his family’s musical talents and took any chance to bond over late night recording and jam sessions. We could often find Tyler adding custom touches to his old Toyota Supra. He even took that beauty to the racetrack to see what it could do. His car was left in the dust but it didn’t bother him one bit. It was about the ride for Tyler, not being the first to the finish line. That was who he was.

Whether it was helping his family or pursuing his passions, he did things because he enjoyed it, not for gain or notoriety. He was a people pleaser to the fullest but remained authentic to himself. Tyler believed and dreamed big despite that others may deem it unrealistic. He wasn’t defined by his age and definitely a child at heart. In a word, a free spirit. He reminded us that life doesn’t always have to be serious and we should look for joy even in the simple things. As we've learned on our journey together, life is just too short.

A recent quote Tyler shared was, "I prefer to be true to myself, even at the hazard of incurring the ridicule of others, rather than to be false, and to incur my own abhorrence.” - Frederick Douglass

Tyler, our dear brother, we will miss your warm smile, silly laugh, and the future memories that we won’t make together. We will miss your kindness and how you adored the kids. Our family is heartbroken, but we know you’re at peace with our parents whom you deeply missed. We accept that a soul like yours isn't meant to be confined by an earthly body. Your path has been anything but easy. May you finally rest in grace and love. Also, our family would like to acknowledge his last act of kindness as an organ donor and that he was able to give the gift of life to three others.

He will be lovingly remembered by his family; wife, Sineenart Vitayanuvatti; daughter, Anya Vitayanuvatti; brothers, Michael and Kris Vitayanuvatti; sister, Angie Overstreet; grandmother, Bette Pool; as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends residing in the U.S. and in Thailand.

He was predeceased by his parents, Surapong and Gloria Vitayanuvatti; grandfather, Edgar Pool; and cousin, Roy Pool, Jr.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to NAMI (namivirginia.org/get-involved/donate/) in Memory Of Tyler. NAMI’s mission is to promote recovery and improve quality of life of those with mental illness through support, education, and advocacy.
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