Chester Leo Dye

Chester Leo Dye was born on October 11th, 1926, in Hanna, Missouri to Harvey F. “Whis” and Stella May (Helton) Dye. He grew up in Hanna and attended Cave Springs School. He was a graduate of Waynesville High School prior to joining the United States Army in 1943. He faithfully served his Country in Tokyo, Japan during World War II. At an early age, Chester accepted Christ as his Savior and later served as a deacon of the Deerlick Baptist Church in Waynesville and at the First Baptist Church in Crocker. On June 1st, 1945, at the Deerlick Baptist Church, Chester was united in marriage to the love of his life, Virginia Mae Burkhart. They shared 52 years and were blessed with five sons: Chester Randolph, Gary Roger, Terry Ray, Richard Alan, and Robert Craig. Chester has been a husband, father, friend, confidant and counselor. He was a farmer, gas station owner, janitor, and bus driver. He was committed to his marriage, raising his children, being a good friend, and educating others. He began his teaching years in a one-room schoolhouse in 1948 at Mount Salem and spent four years coaching junior high sports in the Waynesville school system. Chester moved to Crocker in 1955 to become the elementary school principal. He eventually earned a Bachelor of Science degree in education from the University of Missouri, Columbia, in 1961 and a Master’s degree in education from Drury College in 1965. He retired after 33 years from the Crocker school system, and the elementary school is now named in his honor. He recalled his years in Crocker as “true joy”. Chester enjoyed people, and never met a stranger. His favorite pastime was visiting with family and friends. He also enjoyed being outdoors hunting, fishing, golfing, boating, riding horses, or even cutting wood. He was an enthusiastic lifelong Cardinal’s baseball fan. Chester, surrounded by his family and numerous friends, passed away on June 3rd, 2013, at Lebanon Mercy Hospital. Chester leaves to cherish his memory his sons (daughters-in-law): Randy (Suzi) of Salem, MO; Gary (Carol) of Waynesville, MO; Terry Ray (Dina) of Coppell, TX; Richard (Phyllis) of Jacksonville, FL; Robert (Cathy) of Los Alamos NM; two sisters: Clara Mae Black of Edgar Springs, MO, and Georgia Primus of Waynesville, MO; several grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Chester was preceded in death by his wife Virginia, his parents, and three brothers: Roy Lee, Charlie, and Harvey Dye; as well as four sisters: Freda Graves, Elsie Bailey, Virgie and Mary Dye. Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, June 8, 2013 in the Deerlick Baptist Church of Waynesville with Rev. Calvin Gladden and Rev. Danny Graves officiating. Walter and Kenneth Dye sang “Purple Robe” and Pianist Georgia Primus accompanied the congregation as they sang “What A Day That Will Be”, “Beulah Land” and “Victory in Jesus”. Serving as escorts were Wesley, Cory, Adam and Tony Dye, James Skaggs and James A. Lamkins. Burial with military honors followed in the Deerlick Cemetery. Military honors were provided by the Missouri Honors Team. Services were under the direction of Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville / St. Robert. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Chester Dye to the Deerlick Cemetery Fund and may be left at the funeral home.

Chester Leo Dye

October 11, 1926 - June 3, 2013