Jerry Dyson

Jerry Dyson, age 77 of Gatesville, passed away on the afternoon of September 23, 2020. Funeral services are scheduled for 2:30 pm Saturday, September 26, 2020 at The First Baptist Church.  Private family burial will follow at Restland Cemetery.

Jerry was born in Fort Worth to the late Homer Luther (Buster) Dyson and Edith Brown Dyson on September 24, 1942. He lived for a time in Midland until the untimely death of his father when he was twelve at which time he and his family moved back to Gatesville. He became a Christian in his early youth and spent his life in various charitable ministries.  At Gatesville High School, he represented the area well in sports being a four-year football letterman and member of the celebrated 1960 Regional Champions.

He attended Texas A & M one year before transferring and graduating from Southwest Texas College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Arts. Jerry was a very talented technician with a broad working knowledge of carpentry, refrigeration, engines, electrical, air conditioning, etc. He taught high school briefly, then worked in a cement manufacturing firm and was honored to design the first fountain at the center of the newly opened Six Flags Mall. He completed his career working for the Civil Engineers in Fort Hood as an area supervisor. Throughout his life, he continued studying photography and was a walking encyclopedia of geography and world history.

He married Dora Jean Patterson in 1963 and rejoiced with the birth of their two sons Jerry Mitchell, Jr. and Jeffrey Mark. He worked with Texas Baptist Men for many years and took many on campouts and excursions during the son's youthful years. He enjoyed supporting the son's activities as they grew up.

He was a 32^nd degree Scottish Rite Mason, member of the Gatesville Masonic Lodge 197 and served as Worshipful Master.  He was a Charter member of Trinity Baptist Church and served as an ordained deacon there until his death. He taught Sunday School many years and worked with the youth at Trinity Baptist Church the entire 44 years of the church's existence. He enjoyed providing thousands of weekly treats to the young people. He made a significant contribution to the church history as an excellent photographer. He and his wife have served the last decade in the Gideon's International ministry distributing scriptures worldwide. He has also been a vital participant in the family accounting business since 1983. Jerry was known to be a quiet, kind, gentle man who cherished his family and the extended church family.

He is survived by his wife, Dora Jean, son Mitchell and wife Shelley, son Mark, granddaughters Mallory and Morgan Dyson, sister Teresa Schaub and numerous nieces and nephews.