The family of 1st Lt. Tyler James Feehan is remembering the 25-year-old Army officer as an adventurer, mentor, and leader following his death in action while serving in Jordan.
Feehan, a Southern Utah University student and U.S. Army officer, was among the American service members killed during an attack in the Middle East. His remains were scheduled to return to the United States during a dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on Wednesday.
In a statement shared with KUTV, Feehan's parents, Stephen and Shari Feehan, said their son lived a remarkable life in his 25 years. They described him as an adventurer who traveled to places such as Everest Base Camp and walked the Camino de Santiago across France and into Spain.
As a leader, Feehan reportedly prioritized mentoring his soldiers and emphasizing the value of education. He had planned to attend law school next.
To honor his legacy, the Feehan family launched an effort to establish a scholarship for ROTC cadets. According to a GoFundMe created by the family, the scholarship will begin at Tyler's alma mater, Southern Utah University, and award deserving ROTC cadets each semester. The family intends to expand the program to other universities and eventually support active-duty service members. The family is using Tyler's military death gratuity to launch the fund and is inviting others to contribute.
The Feehan family expressed that the scholarship is intended to reflect the values Feehan carried throughout his life, including service, education, leadership, and helping others succeed.
