Charles Owen Tyson

As a twenty-five year old Navy vet, I arrived on the campus in the fall of 1958! I was a sophomore transfer student from William Carey College with my wife, Pauline, and three year old son, Timothy. My speech was (and still is) dominated by a Georgia drawl and my heart possessed a call of God to the gospel ministry.

My three years at Cal Baptist were years of growth, both spiritual and intellectual. As members of Arianza Baptist Church, Pauline and I were privileged to work with about 40 Cal Baptist students, several of whom later became prominent in Southern Baptist circles. In December of 1960, I was honored to be elected as king of the Yule Festival.

Many of the friendships I made at Cal Baptist continue to this day. Also, I am credited with starting the Penny Bucket Brigade for BSU Summer Missions.

Upon graduation from CBC, we moved to Fort Worth, where I attended SWBTS. I also pastored a country church in Grimes County, Texas. In the fall of 1964, I was called to a village church in central Missouri. While in Missouri, I pastored and finished my Master of Divinity at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary where I graduated in 1970.

In March of 1972, I assumed the pastorate of FBC Fillmore, California. In 1988, I moved to the pastorate of FSBC Palm Springs, Ca. In 1982, I returned to the Ozarks for a two year pastorate.

In 1984, God moved us to Yuma, Arizona, where I've ministered ever since. I was pastor of  Morningside Baptist Church, Director of Missions of Yuma Association, and also chaplain with the Arizona Department of Corrections for two years. In March of 2001, I accepted the pastorate of Immanuel Southern Baptist Church. I will officially retire in December of 2010.

During the summer of 2002, I lost my wife of almost 48 years to Picks Disease. The support my family received from the Cal Baptist family at that time was so appreciated.

At the 2003 homecoming, I encountered Georgia Hill. We had known each other casually for a number of years. An interest in her was sparked at that dinner, and in October of that same year we began to date. We were married on campus in the P. Boyd Smith Courtyard on February 14, 2004. Georgia moved to Yuma where she has served with me in ministry for almost seven years. She has been the music coordinator and choir director at Immanuel. Cal Baptist has a very special place in our hearts, and has been a great influence in our lives.