Title
Adding Gary Tyrone Clayton to the street signs on the 5600 Block of N. 10th Street in recognition of his contributions to young men in the Olney community and across Philadelphia through the Together Brother’s Boxing Club.
Body
WHEREAS, Gary Tyrone Clayton (best known as Tyrone, or Ty, by friends and family), was a champion boxer who used his skills in and out of the ring to bring together individuals throughout Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, Tyrone was born on July 10, 1959, and raised in Philadelphia, specifically in the Olney community. He attended Howe Elementary School, Cooke Middle School, and Olney High School; and
WHEREAS, Due to his small size as a child, Tyrone was often a target for bullying. Despite being picked on, Tyrone was able to defend himself and then shake the hand of his opponent afterwards. He not only gained their respect, but started many friendships this way; and
WHEREAS, Robert “Jazz” Jarrett, a local community leader, noticed Tyrone and his sportsmanship, and Jazz offered to teach Tyrone to box and became a mentor to him; and
WHEREAS, Tyrone trained with Jazz and immediately stood out for his ability to master the techniques taught to him. Tyrone soon began his own club, the Together Brother’s Boxing Club. He recruited other young men and brought them to the gym to train. This gave young men throughout Philadelphia and from all walks of life a space to feel safe and to find a family; and
WHEREAS, Tyrone was later recruited to join the Joe Frazier Boxing Club. In 1978 and 1979, he became the AAU Mid-Atlantic and Golden Gloves Champion. During this time, he amassed a record of 55 and 7. He later became a member of Philadelphia’s finest boxing team, the Bomb Squad; and
WHEREAS, Tyrone’s untimely death in 1980 left the Philadelphia community devastated. On a trip to Warsaw, Poland, with 22 members of the U.S. boxing team to compete in boxing events, the plane crashed, and all those aboard died; and
WHEREAS, Tyrone’s memory is dearly cherished by his family, friends, and community. He was known to be kind, loving, and giving. He remains deeply loved and admired by his family, especially his six siblings, and by all those who had the chance to know him; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby adds Gary Tyrone Clayton to the street signs on the 5600 Block of N. 10th Street in recognition of his contributions to young men in the Olney community through the Together Brother’s Boxing Club.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Tyrone’s family as a sincere expression of the Philadelphia City Council’s respect, gratitude, and recognition.
End