John Tyler Binford

John "Tyler" Binford, born November 16, 1992, left his earthly home on Saturday, September 3, 2016. He was 23. Tyler is the oldest son of Matt and Ellen Binford and brother to Caleb. He was preceded in death by his beloved Grandad, Robert Wingfield, his younger brother, Bryan Binford, and his namesake and uncle, Jon Binford. Others left to live in the absence of his wit, charm, and beautiful smile are his Grandpa and Grandma, Frank and Leah Binford; Gran, Dean Wingfield; Uncles and Aunts, Paul Binford, Jeff and Judy Wingfield, and Barry and Alicia Wingfield; Cousins, Lauren Binford, Daniel, Katherine and Rhys Wingfield, Aaron Binford, Jake Wingfield, Mikaila Wingfield, Jeremiah Wingfield, and RJ Coleman; and a host of other family and friends. Visitation will be held at the Sylvan Hills Church of Christ (117 W Maryland Ave, Sherwood, Ark.), on Thursday, September 8, 2016, from 9-11 a.m. with services to immediately follow. Tyler was a champion. He was brilliant, gifted, strong, and hurting. Tyler loved to learn. He was a sponge to nuance and untapped voices. He thought about thinking. Tyler had a mindset for the underdog and unappreciated. He loved to dig into scripture and question the accepted to find his truth. His eclectic taste in music was a window to his heart. Tyler was Arkansas' first four-time State Wrestling Champion and was selected for induction into the High School Wrestling Hall of Fame. He graduated from Central Arkansas Christian School in 2011 and attended Harding University in Searcy and University of Arkansas at Little Rock in the following years. He was employed at Safety and Environmental Investigations, Inc. He loved his mother beyond words, admired his father, and was a compassionate teacher and friend to his brother. Tyler's God-given gifts and earthly trophies were many, but beyond these things, he offered the world a kind word, gentle hand, and hope for brighter days. The paradox of Tyler's life is as clear as the line between good and evil: "How can a man with so much, who is respected and cared for by so many, be in so much pain that he fails to see what everyone else saw?" Here is what we know: addiction kills and depression is real, even if it makes no sense. Things are not always what we are able to see. His family's greatest desire is that others learn from Tyler's story. If you are struggling, tell someone. If you know someone who is hurting, do not wait to reach out. And finally, in the immortal words of Bill and Ted, Be EXCELLENT to each other. Online obituary at www.SmithFamilyCares.com.