Tyler Duckworth, best known for competing on MTV's The Real World and The Challenge, was honored by friends and family at his memorial service on Saturday. The service was held at Augustana Lutheran Church in Grand Forks, North Dakota.
Duckworth's mother, Joni Duckworth, posed for a photo surrounded by her son's former castmates, including Johnny 'Bananas' Devenanzio, Jose Tapia, Tina Barta and producer Ryan Smith, along with his friends AJ, Charley Cullen Walters and Greg Bennett-Cesarini.
Duckworth died on August 11 at age 44. According to Page Six, his body was found 'up against the bathroom door' after the Grand Forks Police Department was dispatched to his home when downstairs neighbors complained of water coming through the ceiling.
Authorities said there were no signs of foul play. Duckworth, a graduate of Tufts University, had a cause of death still pending the results of an autopsy and toxicology report, which can take up to 12 weeks.
Tributes from former castmates
On Sunday, Devenanzio, known to Challenge fans as Bananas, shared several photos from inside Duckworth's celebration of life. "Lights will guide you home. And I hope wherever they lead you, you know how deeply you were loved, and how much of you we'll carry with us forever. Rest easy, brother," he wrote.
On display at the service were photos of Duckworth from his time as a Valley Middle School teacher and from his run on The Real World: Key West, as well as his appearances on The Challenge spinoffs The Duel, The Gauntlet III, Cutthroat, Rivals, All Stars 2 and All Stars 3.
Friend AJ also posted a tribute via Instagram story. "Our first night in Fargo. We ate, drank, laughed, cried, reminisced, gambled and toasted to Tyler," the post read. "Never thought I'd be here. Tyler brought us together and we became unstoppable."
A reunion weeks before his death
Duckworth had reunited with castmates Rachel Robinson, Brad Fiorenza, Tina Barta and Mark Long at The Challenge Mania event in Minneapolis, Minnesota on July 31, just under two weeks before he died.
Duckworth, who was openly gay and had 23,200 social media followers, wrote about the reunion on August 2. "@challengemaniapodcast always knows how to bring the BEST of the BEST together! So proud to represent my hometown of Minneapolis along with these other challenge legends," he wrote.
"The fans are what keep us coming out! Hearing your stories of courage, inspiration and joy that you've got being a fan of the franchise is humbling each and every time. Also, pretty sure we nailed the cast photo for the lost season of The Real World: Minneapolis! Thank you Minneapolis! Thank you @scottofyager It was REAL!"
Life after reality TV
Since moving from Los Angeles back to his home state in 2020, Duckworth had been teaching world history and social science classes while pursuing a master's degree in education.
"He lived life at full speed whether he was swimming, studying history, socializing, working out or teaching," his obituary read. "He was tireless in his pursuit of excellence. His memory will be remembered and cherished for his incredible kindness, vitality, humor and the joy he brought to those around him. His legacy lives on through the lives he touched and the memories he created."
Duckworth, who was fluent in Russian, was an avid traveler who loved the Olympics, attending ceremonies in Athens in 2004, Beijing in 2008, Vancouver in 2010, London in 2012 and Japan in 2014.
He is survived by his father, Jack Duckworth, stepmother Gwen Duckworth, brother Jackson Duckworth and sister-in-law Des Duckworth.
