Lyle Glen Dyer

Lyle Glen Dyer was born May 25, 1964, to Edgar and Carol Dyer. Lenzy and Lou were excited to have a little brother. This blue-eyed, blond-haired little boy had a happy childhood and enjoyed many things. He loved collecting keys! Lou remembers the doorbell ringing, and someone would ask to see if he could look through Lyle's box of keys to see if Lyle had the key he needed. Lyle definitely knew his keys. When he couldn't find the key he wanted, he would say with his little speech impediment, "I'm "mikking" a key!" We would show him a key that we found and he would say, "That's not "duh" right key!" This could go on for a while until the right key was eventually found. Lyle also had a love for puzzles and also enjoyed playing with his trucks and cows. His favorite truck was given to him by a dear family friend, Coach Bill Moore. Lenzy recalls how Lyle enjoyed some good music! Some of his favorite songs that he would play on his little record player were "Looking Out My Backdoor" and "Down On the Corner" by Creedence Clearwater Revival, "Holly Holy" by Neil Diamond, "Kiss an Angel Good Morning" by Charlie Pride, and "Folsum Prison Blues" by Johnny Cash. These songs soon became family favorites!
Lyle attended Kindergarten and 1st grade at Muenster Elementary. His first grade teacher, Mrs. Josie Christian, was a God-send. It was at this time that my parents realized Lyle's learning needs were greater than most and his education would be different. Lyle could speak at this time, maybe not as clearly as his peers, but Lou will never forget him coming home from school and declaring that his best "fwiend" at school was "Jeddy Serna"....Jerry Serna.
Lyle's parents' love never faltered for their sweet son. They knew their journey as parents and Lyle's journey through life would not be easy. However, through God's grace they made it look effortless. One day a gardener friend shared with Dad, "Ed, I know it must be difficult taking care of a child like Lyle." Dad replied, "Lyle is not difficult. I know every night at 10:00 where Lyle is. I cannot say the same for Lenzy and Lou." Where Dad went, so did Lyle. He would often take Lyle along to the homes of ag students to see the project they were working on. These two also made numerous trips to Fischer's, the post office, the gas station, and to the city garden near Weinzapfel Lake. They were inseparable! Although Lyle saw many doctors in his younger years, none could explain the reason for his loss of speech and many self-help skills. Lyle attended the Joe Walter Workshop for Disabled Children until he turned 22. At this time, May 1988, Dad retired from teaching Ag at Muenster ISD so that he could care for Lyle during the day. Mom then retired in 1991.
Lyle lived his last fourteen years in a nursing home. We are forever grateful for the care he received at the nursing home in Muenster, 2009-2014, and at River Valley Nursing and Rehabilitation, 2014-present. What remained as a constant? Two things: God's love and his mother's love! Mom visited him daily! She arrived in time to feed him lunch, stayed until supper was eaten, nightly meds were given, and Lyle was ready for bed. She loved him dearly; more than life itself! He will forever be her little boy.
Lyle passed on June 20 at the age of 59. We are blessed to say that he was our angel on earth! A dear family friend and pastor of First Baptist Church Muenster, Ralph Gourley, said it best, "We are saddened for y'all but share in the hope of picturing Lyle healthy, whole, and disability-free in his resurrection body." Lyrics to a popular Christian song sum it up beautifully, "Thank you, Jesus! Heaven changes everything!"
Lyle Glen Dyer was preceded in death by his father, Edgar Dyer. He is survived by his mother, Carol Dyer, brother Lenzy Dyer and Stacey, and sister Lou Dyer Heers and Ted. Nieces: Laura Heers Eves and Eric, Lia Heers Hellman and Eric, Lana Heers Hanes and Garrett, Morgan Dyer Henrichson and Wyatt, and Hanah Dyer. Great nieces: Maggie and Haley Hellman and Ada and Mabel Eves. Aunts and Uncles: Lyle's namesake, Alton Glen Treadway and Emily, David Calvert, Gerald Dyer and Kathy, and Tim Marlin.
Lyle's "Celebration of Life" was held on Saturday, June 24, at 10 am at the First Baptist Church of Muenster with Ralph Gourley as officiant. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Scott-Morris Funeral Home of Nocona. Pallbearers were Eric Eves, Eric Hellman, Garrett Hanes, Wyatt Henrichson, Mark Richardson, and Brad McDaniel. Lyle was laid to rest at Abel Shiloh Cemetery near his daddy.
We are forever grateful to everyone who participated in Lyle's service and to all who have expressed their love and sympathy. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Edgar Dyer Memorial Scholarship Fund.