Tyler John Bygren, 46
Our brilliant and beautiful Tyler lost his devastating battle with addiction on Sunday, April 15, 2024, at Billings Clinic Hospital. He could no longer keep up with the ravages of this hideous disease. We don’t know how to process this overwhelming grief and anger. Addiction robbed Tyler of the life he deserved. No one loved harder or was more compassionate with those less fortunate. He wanted so desperately to be “normal” and to come back to our family healthy, to beat down his demons, to make amends that he felt were necessary, when all we ever wanted was for him to leave the past behind and let us love having him in our presence. Our family is forever changed. To know we will never see him, hear his voice, experience his contagious high-pitched fits of laughter, or experience the joy of watching him play any musical instrument he picked up from his drum kit to piano, harmonica, saxophone, guitar and beyond — is unimaginable. His music and interactions with babies and the elderly are when he was in his element. He took precious care of his Grandpa Jimmy during the last months of his grandpa’s life and provided him with gentle compassion, dignity and respect. Those of us who knew Tyler were the lucky ones. He wanted more time with all of us. His love for his family and friends was unwavering and the special bond he had with his Dad was never broken. We are shattered trying to process a world without him. All of us did everything we could to help him overcome the shame and sadness. He didn’t deserve the pain and trauma he experienced in a country that is so blind to addiction and mental health issues.
He is survived by his mother, Kathy Pray (Darrell); father, Jerry Bygren (Sarah); brother, Casey Bygren (Chantal) and sister, Kelley Bygren. He is also survived by his niece and nephew, Chloe and Carter Bygren; aunts and uncles, Leslie and Lon Hinkle, Steve and Robin Owens, and Steve and Susan Bygren; his great-aunt, Linda Hauhuth; and cousins, Drew Cable, and Carly and Lacey Owens.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Jim and Martha Owens, and John and Evelyn Bygren; and his aunt, Martha Sue Mills.
We hope you are rocking out with the angels, Tyler. Your battle is over now. Rest in peace. No one deserves it more than you.
At his request there will be no services, but our family will celebrate his life when we are together in June. In lieu of flowers, a donation in his memory to the Bigfork High School Music Department P.O. Box 188 Bigfork, MT 59911 would be welcomed. Condolences can be mailed to The Bygren Family, 12475 Crane Mountain Road Bigfork, MT 59911.