Beloved 13 Time NY State Horseshoe Pitching Champion Art Tyson passed away on August 3, 2026. Arthur Oliver Tyson, lovingly known as “Mr.Clean,” was born on August 14, 1939, in New Haven, Connecticut to the late Bertha Oliver Tyson and Minister James Alexander Tyson. He was one of eleven children.
Art was well known for his skill as a horseshoe pitcher earning entry into both the NYSHPA Hall of Fame and the NHPA Hall of fame.
At one point during his horseshoe pitching career, Art was ranked the number two horseshoe player in the world. This achievement led him to becoming an author of the book Art Tyson – Second Best in the World Ain’t Too Bad. The following are excerpts from his book:
Art Tyson is the first African American to be inducted into the NHPA Hall of Fame.
Diligence and dedication, hard work and persistence were the cornerstones that drove him. Humility, love and faith in God were the principles that sustained him in his quest to be the best.
Here are what some of the greatest pitchers of all time had to say about Art.
“…and at the height of his career, there was no-one he could not beat.” – Alan Francis
“…He is an awesome horseshoe player … and Artie and I have had a lot of battles on the horseshoe pits.” – Brian Simmons
“…Art was definitely one of the top players … he was … a tough competitor.” – Walter Ray Williams Jr.
You can view his full obituary at https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/arthur-tyson-obituary?id=62140721