Richard Paul Dye, lovingly known as Dick, passed away on Friday, June 11th, 2021, at the age of 85 in Weatherford, Oklahoma.

Dick was born in Old Gulf, Texas, in 1935 to Dr. F.E. Dye and Mrs. Ida Mae Dye.  Very soon after his birth, he and his family moved to Bay City, Texas, which he considered his hometown.  Dick attended the University of North Texas and the University of Texas before taking a break to pursue his interest in photography, apprenticing in Norman, Oklahoma, and later at Blunk Studios in Clinton, Oklahoma, where he met his wife, Thelma, while taking her Nursing School senior picture.  They were married soon the following year and he returned to school, graduating with a degree in Education from Texas State University in 1963.  After working as an English teacher at Corn Bible Academy in Corn, Oklahoma, he again returned to school, this time to complete his Masters in Education at Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, Oklahoma.  With that degree in hand, he returned to Corn Bible Academy as the Superintendent.  In 1969, the family moved to his hometown of Bay City, Texas, where he taught high school English and worked in education administration.  In 1977, he ventured out of education and received his real estate broker's license and started his own company.  In 1993, the family moved back to his wife's hometown, Corn, Oklahoma, and later Weatherford, Oklahoma.  At this point, Dick wanted to keep busy in his retirement years and started working at the neighborhood Wal-mart in Weatherford, OK.  As the official greeter, Dick was recognized and greeted himself all around town.  Once his wife, Thelma, retired from teaching Nursing at Southwestern Oklahoma State University, he retired from Wal-mart and they began leading groups of tours for Prudent Travel together.  With almost 30 tours, they visited every state in the continental US.

Dick is preceded in death by his parents and his older brother Fulton Dye, Jr.

Dick is survived by his two sisters, Geraldine Parker and her husband Dr. Wade Parker of San Antonio, Texas, and Carole Weatherred and her husband Preston Weatherred of Kerrville, Texas.

Dick will be greatly missed by his wife, Thelma, who he married in 1962 in Corn, OK.  In 2012, they celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary by taking their three children, their spouses, and their grandchildren on a Disney Cruise and Disney/Universal Studios trip.  This August would have been their 59th anniversary.

He is also survived by his son, Brett Allen Dye and his wife Simone Tamer of Rogers, Arkansas; his son Craig Dye and his wife Diolanda Dye, also of Rogers, Arkasas; his daughter Kristi Bell and her husband Jeff Bell; and his seven grandchildren:  Keely, Kaitlyn, Bridget, Zoe, Eleanor, Anthony, and Isabel.  His children and grandchildren were one of the most important things in his life.

Dick was a kind hearted man who never met a stranger.  He was always ready with a smart comment or joke, but never at another's expense.  He was saved by Jesus Christ at the age of 27 and Thelma can't wait to see him in heaven.

The family would like to give a special thanks to Mike and Harrolyn Pruett, Loren and Janie Penner, Sylvia Spain, Joe Sullivan and his family, Sandy and all the friendly folks at the Pioneer Center, and the helpful people of Russel/Murray Hospice.

The memorial service will be held on Wednesday, June 16th, at 2pm at Lockstone Funeral home in Weatherford, Oklahoma.  The service will be informal, with his children and grandchildren leading the memorial.  Earl Stephenson, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Weatherford, will say a few words and Dick's friend, Charles Regier, will sing a few of Dick's favorite songs with a quartet from Corn Mennonite.   A reception at the family house will follow.  Visitation is available at Lockstone Funeral Home until the service.  He will be laid to rest at the cemetery in Corn, Oklahoma.

In lieu of flowers, please make any donations to Corn Bible Academy.