Joshua "Kyle" Hyden

In Loving Memory of Joshua Kyle Hyden

April 4, 1985 – December 3, 2021

Protective, lively, and relentlessly loyal.

Joshua Kyle Hyden, affectionately known as Kyle, passed away on December 3, 2021, at North Florida Regional Medical Center in Gainesville, Florida. He was 36 years old.

Kyle was surrounded by his beloved wife, Nicole, his mother, Joy, and his sweet Aunt Karen, who offered tremendous love and support to her nephew throughout his final days.

To know Kyle was to love him. His mischievous smile, quick wit, dry humor, and unforgettable laughter could turn on the light in even the darkest room. He possessed an extraordinary intelligence and an ability to understand, create, build, and repair almost anything. He was outspoken, fiercely protective, and relentlessly loyal to those he loved.

His Early Years and Love of the Outdoors

Born April 4, 1985, in Gainesville, Florida, Kyle was the son of Rodney Hyden and Joy Mathis. He grew up with a deep appreciation for family, the outdoors, and working with his hands. At the age of eleven, Kyle went to live with his father, Rodney, who raised him and became one of the greatest influences in his life.

Kyle developed a lifelong love of fishing and hunting, spending time with his father and his maternal grandfather, Ted H. Mathis, affectionately known as Epa. Summers were filled with visits to the local springs in Central Florida, swimming, cooking out, and making memories with family and friends.

Kyle attended Gainesville High School and later earned his GED. A natural craftsman, he learned the construction trade alongside his father, from operating heavy equipment to concrete masonry. He possessed an extraordinary ability to figure things out, and there seemed to be nothing he couldn’t build, rebuild, operate, or repair.

A Father’s Love, A Son’s Loyalty

Kyle’s love and loyalty to his father, Rodney, were unwavering. Their relationship extended far beyond working together in construction. Rodney was Kyle’s teacher, fishing partner, and one of the most important people in his life.

They shared countless fishing trips, adventures, and memories that Kyle treasured dearly.

To know Kyle and Rodney together was to witness a special kind of father-and-son bond. Kyle took great pleasure in intentionally raising his father’s blood pressure, knowing exactly which buttons to push. Then, with his unmistakable mischievous smile and infectious laughter, he would have the entire room laughing, Rodney included.

It was a special kind of humor between the two, one built on years of love, loyalty, and an understanding that only they shared.

Kyle loved his dad dearly, and that love never wavered.

Papa Jack and Nana — A Love Beyond Measure

Few relationships meant more to Kyle than those he shared with his paternal grandparents, Jackson “Papa Jack” Hyden and Enea Grace “Nana” Hyden.

The love Kyle held for his Papa Jack and Nana was beyond measure, a love so enormous that no single heart could possibly contain it.

Papa Jack was Kyle’s teacher, role model, and one of the greatest influences in his life. Kyle admired his grandfather’s knowledge and abilities, learning from him the skills and resourcefulness that would become such a defining part of his own character.

His Nana held an equally irreplaceable place in his heart. Kyle cherished both grandparents deeply, carrying their love and memories with him throughout his life.

Their passing never diminished the extraordinary bond he shared with them. Kyle’s love for Papa Jack and Nana remained a part of who he was until the day he left this world.

An Unbreakable Bond with His Mother

Kyle shared an unbreakable bond with his mother, Joy Mathis, of Baker, Florida.

He loved his mom dearly, spoke with her as often as possible, and made every effort to visit when he could.

Kyle was especially grateful to Joy for taking on the full-time responsibility of raising Gracie and Faith. He recognized the love, commitment, and sacrifices involved and deeply appreciated the care she provided for the girls.

He checked in on Gracie as often as possible and treasured his opportunities to spend time with them.

Just one week before Kyle’s unexpected passing, he and Nicole were fortunate enough to spend time with Faith and Gracie. The photographs taken during that visit would become especially precious memories.

A Heart Few Truly Knew

Kyle was a giver of all things, even during times when he had little left to give of himself.

Beneath his sometimes stubborn, outspoken, and mischievous exterior was a man whose heart held more love than most people would ever realize. Only a fortunate few were privileged to witness the full depth of that love.

His wife, Nicole, whom he affectionately nicknamed “Bean,” was among those fortunate few.

Kyle and Nicole met in June 2019 in Archer, Florida. By November of that same year, they were married in the very living room where their story began.

Nicole knew the man behind the tough exterior. She witnessed his tenderness, generosity, intelligence, humor, and extraordinary loyalty.

She saw the love he carried for his three biological children, Hailey, Landen, and Gracie, whom he affectionately called “Gracie Bug.” She also witnessed the love he held for his stepdaughter, Faith McVay, whom he loved very much.

Kyle welcomed Nicole’s twin sons, Keenan and Emerson, into his heart. He believed family was defined by love rather than biology.

Keenan became his eager helper whenever something needed repairing, while Emerson developed an especially profound bond with Kyle.

Kyle affectionately referred to Emerson as his “soul son.” He spent time teaching him, protecting him, and sharing experiences that Emerson would never forget.

Even today, Emerson still considers Kyle his true best friend.

Perhaps there is no greater testament to Kyle’s capacity to love than the lasting place he holds in the hearts of the children whose lives he touched.

His Humor, Dreams, and Adventures

Kyle was never one to hide his opinions. He was blunt, outspoken, and sometimes deliberately aggravating, especially when he knew he could get a laugh.

His laughter was infectious, his smile unforgettable, and his intelligence remarkable.

He loved fishing, hunting, and spending time outdoors. He dreamed of one day owning a fishing tackle shop and an airboat. He enjoyed watching fishing programs, never missed Shark Week, and became a fan of Yellowstone.

One of the stories Kyle particularly enjoyed was his father’s appearance in the 2018 Netflix documentary The Legend of Cocaine Island. The film follows Rodney and others on an unusual adventure to the island of Culebra in search of a rumored hidden stash of cocaine.

Kyle delighted in teasing his father about the documentary and watching it again and again. It became another source of laughter and memories between father and son.

Kyle was also a man of faith. He attended Summit Church in Crestview, Florida, and often quoted Philippians 4:13:

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

His Final Days and Lasting Love

During Kyle’s final days, his beloved wife Nicole, his mother Joy, and his sweet Aunt Karen remained by his side.

Aunt Karen’s tremendous love and support for her beloved nephew offered comfort during an unimaginably difficult time.

Nicole held Kyle’s hand until the end.

Among the most treasured memories Nicole carries is a note Kyle left for her:

“Don’t stop being you. Continue to laugh and know I’ll be with you in spirit. I don’t believe us being apart stops our souls from being together.”

To Nicole, Kyle often said, “You go where I go.”

Their love was not without its challenges, but it was a love that left memories she would carry for the rest of her life.

Survived By

Joshua Kyle Hyden is survived by his beloved wife, Nicole Hyden, and stepsons, Emerson and Keenan, of Trenton, Florida; his father, Rodney Hyden, of Alachua, Florida; his mother, Joy Mathis, of Baker, Florida; his sisters, Landis Mathis Booker, of Alaska, and Emily Hyden, of Alachua, Florida; his children, Hailey, of South Carolina, Jackson Landen Hyden, of West Palm Beach, Florida, and Enea Grace Hyden, affectionately known as “Gracie Bug,” of Baker, Florida; and his beloved stepdaughter, Faith McVay.

Kyle was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Jackson Landen “Papa Jack” Hyden and Enea Grace “Nana” Hyden, and his maternal grandparents, Ted H. “Epa” Mathis and Joyce H. “Ema” Mathis.

With Heartfelt Gratitude

A special thank-you is extended to Kyle’s best friend, Eli, and Wala, for taking the time to visit their dear friend during his final days. Their friendship, love, and presence will always be remembered with heartfelt gratitude.

Although one of Kyle’s very best friends, Jimmy, was unable to be there in person, he was able to connect with Kyle through a FaceTime call. Nicole believes in her heart that, even though Kyle could not respond, he could hear the familiar voice of his dear friend. That moment meant more than words could express.

Kyle’s cousin Benny also made a brief visit during his hospitalization.

And to everyone who knew and loved Kyle, may his unforgettable smile, infectious laughter, fierce loyalty, and enormous heart remain in your memories forever.

To know Kyle was to love him. To truly know his heart was a privilege.

Forever loved. Forever missed. Forever remembered.