Tyler Penrod Toles

Tyler Penrod Toles passed away peacefully at his Albuquerque home on Sunday, December 6, 2020 at the age of 62. A native of Roswell, New Mexico, Tyler graduated high school and junior college from New Mexico Military Institute (NMMI). During his junior year of high school, Tyler took flying lessons as a part of NMMI’s curriculum and received his pilot’s license, which led to his chosen lifetime career as a commercial pilot.

Tyler started flying small commuter planes out of Roswell, but quickly moved to flying Learjet charters out of Albuquerque, which became his primary residence for more than 40 years. From Learjets, Tyler moved to flying DC-9 medical transport flights for Evergreen International Aviation. His work with Evergreen led to bigger opportunities, including receiving his type rating for the 747 before his 30th birthday, thus making him the youngest Captain in the world holding a 747 certification at that time. Tyler flew internationally for many years with Evergreen, South Korean Airlines, and EVA (a Taiwanese carrier), from which he retired in May of 2016. Tyler flew every type of 747 made by Boeing, logging 20,000 flight hours as captain and 30,000 total flight hours during his career.

Tyler is survived by his mother, Sally Saunders Toles of Roswell; and brothers, Perry Saunders Toles (and wife, Sherri Moore) of Roswell, and John Harwood Toles of Denver, CO. Tyler was predeceased by his father, J. Penrod Toles, who passed away in January of 2017. No memorial service is planned at this time.