Howard Eugene Dye – November 14, 2014

Dye Obit PicHoward Eugene Dye, 84, of Amarillo, died Friday, Nov. 14, 2014.
Services will be 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2014, in Boxwell Brothers Ivy Chapel with Buddy Payne, pastor of First United Methodist Church of Panhandle, officiating.  Burial will follow at 3:00 p.m., in Claude Cemetery in Claude.  Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount Blvd.
Howard was born Dec. 13, 1929, to Roy and Lola Dye on the family farm 8 miles southwest of Claude, the youngest of four children.  He went to early school at Lakeview Country School, which was three miles south of the family farm.  Howard rode horseback, walked and rode a bicycle to school and when the lake got over the road, he went in wagon and team.  He graduated from Claude High School in 1947 and was class president of both his junior and senior class.  He attended West Texas A&M but was drafted into the Army for the Korean War in 1950 and was honorably discharged in 1953. It was during this time he married his lifelong sweetheart, Frances, the daughter of Luther and Viola Lowry.  They were born two miles apart on their families’ farms.  He was only 6 weeks older than she was and her baby book says he was her first visitor.  After his discharge, he and Frances lived and farmed the home place until the drought of the early 50s drove them out.  He went to work at Sears Roebuck and Company where he worked 34 years before retiring in 1987. During his Sears career, he also served as the loaned executive for The United Way.  Because of his love of farming and raising cattle, he returned to it until 2007 when his health required him to retire again.  He and Frances leased out their land and moved to Amarillo.
Howard’s civic duties consisted of serving on many committees of the First United Methodist Church, and he was supposedly the youngest to serve as chairman of the board.  He also served the Amarillo community as chairman of the Men’s Group and on the board of trustees at Kingwood Methodist Church.  He served as commander of the Harold Gist American Legion Post #344 for four years and served three years as president of the Claude Alumni Association.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Herman Dye and R.L. Dye, Jr.; and a sister, Marie Cope.
Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Frances Lowry Dye, of Amarillo; two children, Janet Luman and Alan Dye, both of Amarillo; four grandchildren, Brittney Funderburk, Blaine Dye, Creed Dye and Noah Luman; 5 step-grandchildren, Blayne, Lance and Brody Keplinger, Dr. Ashley Williams and Kollin Luman; two great-granddaughters, Oaklee Funderburk and Kinley Luman; three step-great-grandsons; precious nieces and nephews; loving cousins; and a special caregiver, Jennie Sandlin.
The family suggests memorials be made to Family Life Center at Claude United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 136,  Claude, TX 79019; Harold Gist American Legion Post #344, P.O. Box 312, Claude, TX 79019; or to Armstrong County Museum, P.O. Box 450, Claude, TX 79019.
The family will receive friends from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 17, 2014, at the funeral home.

0 Replies to “Howard Eugene Dye – November 14, 2014”

  1. Our time with Uncle Howard was so wonderful for all of us. He could remember the names of everyone in all the old pictures we took to him (even the dogs and horses). He reminds us of our Dad so much when we see pictures of the two of them. We never know how much someone will be missed until they are gone. We were so Blessed to have him in our lives and his memory will forever be in our hearts.

  2. Wow! what an amazing man and “favorite uncle”. So glad to be able to spend a little time with my uncle Howard, his family / friends last summer during the Claude Park dedication. Howard was so very proud of the dedication and something he worked long and hard to make happen. He worked hard his entire life to help family, friends and anyone that needed a little help. Howard will be missed by all the lives he touched every day of his life.

  3. We are so sorry for your loss of your dear sweet husband and dad. Howard was a good and decent man who always had an easy smile, a twinkle in his eye, and a pleasant word to say whenever we saw him. We’re glad to have known Howard and will miss him; when we think of him, we will smile. We’ll keep you in our thoughts and prayers. May God bless you all during this time.

  4. Frances,Janet and Alan,
    I am so sorry to read about Howard’s passing. I liked him very much. Visited with him a couple of times in the last couple of yrs. at BSA. He said, what he remembered about me was..my “blueberry banana” cream pies. May God bless each of you at this time and hold you close to each other.
    My love and prayers to all of you.

  5. Rob and I were so sorry to hear the sad news. You have lost someone very special. Howard will be greatly missed. We send you our heartfelt sympathy.

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