Surrounded by the love and comfort of his family, Jeff passed away at the Loma Linda Medical Center, Loma Linda, California after a brief but valiant fight with cancer.

Jeff was born in Carthage, Missouri on February 24, 1961 to Ancil Leon and Lela Margaret (Henderson) Pyle, Carthage, Missouri. He was the little brother to Keri (Pyle) Jennings Taylor, who would be 4 years old the following week.

He was preceded in death by his father, Ancil Leon Pyle.

He will be forever loved and deeply missed by his wife and soulmate of almost 40 years, Kelli Lea Osborne-Pyle, originally from West Plains, Missouri who now resides in Riverside, California. Jeff and Kelli met at university, where they lived in the same apartment building. However, they only became close friends during their introduction to business class—where they bonded over their mutual disdain for their professor—who they lovingly referred to as “N.L.M.” throughout the notes they passed to each other. Jeff and Kelli married on August 23, 1986. Together, they built a life full of love and fun—they lived throughout the U.S., travelled the world, and raised two children.

Jeff is also survived by his children— his son, Jeffrey (J.P.) Osborne Pyle, and his daughter, Rachel Nicole Pyle, who now reside in Riverside, California and San Francisco, California, respectively.

He is also survived by his mother, Lela Margaret Pyle of Edmond, Oklahoma and his sister, Keri Jennings Taylor of Jones, Oklahoma. Jeff is further survived by his nieces, nephews, extended family, dear friends, and a long list of close colleagues. His beloved rottweiler, Samson, still waits for Jeff at the door.

Jeff graduated Carthage Senior High, Carthage, Missouri at the top of his class. He played horns in the marching band and guitars for jamming and fun. He loved farming with his cousin during summers in Lawrence County, Missouri.

Jeff completed his studies in Mechanical Engineering at Southwest Missouri State University (now, Missouri State University), Springfield, Missouri in 3 years. Shortly after he began his career, he invented a hood latch that is still used on most semi-trucks to this day. Much to his stated chagrin, he never saw the profits nor the patent rights for said invention, but he loved to point out his invention to his family on their many road trips back to Missouri as they sped (way too fast) past many tractor trailers.

Overall, Jeff had an illustrious 40 year career in the manufacturing of automotive and electrical components that took him to multiple international destinations. His expertise in business led him to work with small or struggling manufacturing firms. He found success in his ability to refine and build said firms into stronger, larger-scale operations, and ultimately increase the firms’ profitability. Jeff’s career lead him to live in Missouri, Tennessee, Virginia and for the past 20 years, Riverside, California. Due to Jeff’s international business practice, he had multiple “homes away from home” in various cities and countries, which included but is not limited to: Sauerlach, Germany; Hungary; Vienna, Austria; and Chihuahua and Tiajuana, Mexico. Most recently, Jeff was the President and CEO of Endural of Costa Mesa , California.

Jeff loved his travels, fast cars, classic rock music, and cooking. His passion for wine lead him to have a (small) ownership share in the Willamette Valley Winery. He will always be remembered for his true passion—having a good time with the ones he loved, which was embodied by his contagious laughter.

A celebration of life will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers or gifts, a donation in the memory of Jeffrey A. Pyle may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.