A Memorial Gathering for John Dyer, 81 of Athens is scheduled for 6-8:00 P.M., April 6, 2015 at the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home Chapel.

Mr. Dyer passed away on Thursday, April 2, 2015 in Athens, Texas.

John Willie Dyer was born May 14, 1933 in Murchison, Texas the son of Jesse Howard Dyer and Trudy Edwards Dyer. He was a star football player at Brownsboro High School and at Henderson County Junior College. He then served in the Marine Corps; receiving the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal and played football for the Marines before his Honorable discharge. John later became a member of the Athens VFW Post 7103 in 1971 and served last at Post 5073 of the Frankston Lodge. He was a longtime employee of the Grocery business managing many different areas and locations in Henderson County. He was an avid outdoorsman who hunted and enjoyed his gardening. Papa was a loving father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother and friend.

He is preceded in death by his parents, one daughter Mary Dyer, two sisters, Mae Abney, Estene Pirtle and a brother Elon Dyer.

John is survived by his children, Lynn Williams and husband Glen of Murchison, Randy Dyer of Poynor, Ketha Merrill and Brett of Murchison, Kim Paroline and husband Robbie of Athens, Brad Dyer and wife Cheron of Athens; one brother Dewey Dyer and wife Sarah of Murchison; fourteen grandchildren, Natalie Tolbert, Wayne Tolbert, Michael Williams, Jeffrey Dyer, Jason Dyer, Brandon Dyer, Jeremy Merrill, Kylah Merrill, Keith Marquez, Paul Marquez, Tara Paroline, Carson Paroline, Krysta Dyer, Tanner Dyer and twenty two great grandchildren.

Honorary pallbearers will be Tony Pirtle, Jimmy Abney, Steve Schulte, Danny Dyer, Danny Cummings, Jimmy Baker, Andy Arnold, Morris Jordan and the grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in John’s memory to the:
VFW Post #5073
639 Pine St
Frankston, TX 75763
Phone: (903) 876-3640

Arrangements were entrusted to the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home of Athens.

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