Arthur Fred Dyer Jr.

Arthur Fred Dyer, Jr, age 81, of Smyrna, GA since 2022 and Perry Hall, MD from 1995 to 2022, peacefully left his earthly home to spend eternity with Jesus on April 20, 2025. He was surrounded by family members and friends in his last days as they reflected on the impact his life had on so many. Born to Arthur (Art) Fred Dyer Sr and Ardis Jane Dyer (nee Hengen) in Youngstown, OH, on March 9, 1944, Fred was one of 5 children: Alice, David (Marie), Jane, and Jim (Lee). His family eventually relocated to Kissimmee, FL, where Fred met the love of his life, Karen Vance Dyer (nee Hansell). Fred and Kay met when they were teens at high school and went on to be married for 60 beautiful years. Both graduated from Osceola High School in Kissimmee, and Fred attended Georgia Tech and the University of Florida, where he graduated with an Aerospace Engineering Degree. During this time, Fred and Kay welcomed their twin sons, Arthur Fred Dyer, III (Darlene) and Andrew Dyer (Gail Glenn), and their daughter Deborah Henry (Scott) to the world. Later the Lord gave them 2 more children, Amy Post (Josh) and Benjamin Dyer (Shawna Strebeck). After working for Pratt and Whitney in West Palm Beach, FL as an Aerospace Engineer in the Jet Fuel Development Lab, Fred was called by God into ministry. Attending Southwest Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX, and working at General Dynamics as a liaison engineer, Fred went on to earn his Master of Divinity. On his way to getting his ThD, Fred felt more called into church and pastoral ministry, which is where he spent the next 44 years serving. His love for God, the Bible, and for others made him an extraordinary pastor, counselor, and shepherd as he went above and beyond to meet the needs of others. His quiet strength in the Lord and unwavering faith were a vivid light to those around him. His humor and joy will also forever be remembered in his Vacation Bible School feats such as swallowing a goldfish, sitting in the dunk tank, kissing a pig and a snake, eating a fried worm, and blowing up a giant weather balloon to measure the offering goal. Some years of his ministry were bi-vocational, so he used his math and science talents to teach math at Osceola High School and Valencia Community College. His generosity was also felt there as he held free tutoring and study sessions for students who needed help. Fred also supported many students in their extracurricular activities and sporting events. Sports were a huge part of Fred’s life. Playing football in high school, he passed on his love of athletics to his children, coaching many of their teams when they were young, all the way up through high school. He believed that being part of a team was valuable and taught that hard work and practice pay off. He was an avid Florida Gator fan but had a heart big enough to cheer for whatever team his children or grandchildren played for. Known as “Papa” to his grandchildren and great grandchildren, Fred was loved and admired immensely by his whole family. Papa’s legacy lives on in his grandchildren Karen, Rebekah, MacKenzie, Michael, Kaleb, Rachel, Gabriel, Sarah, Andy Jr, Abigail, Elijah, and May; and in his great grandchildren Landon, Titus, Luci, Max, Liam, and baby Maribella coming soon. Papa had a heart of gold, overflowing with God’s love for his family and truly anyone who crossed his path. His moments with his grandchildren were filled with fun and laughter. Fred treasured spending time with family playing cribbage, pinochle, dominoes and games of all kinds. He cherished God’s creation and relished sitting outside, enjoying the warmth of the sun and sometimes playing golf. Fred loved music and worshipping the Lord along with listening to messages about the “Man on the Middle Cross”. His favorite thing to do was to spend time with Kay, laughing and dancing, as they did when they were young at the Youth Center in Kissimmee. Fred dedicated his life to the Lord and pastored in many different states. The number of lives he touched for the Lord is innumerable! Fred and Kay went on mission trips around the world, ministering to others in Ireland, China, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Trinidad. In the years preceding his passing, he and Kay told anyone who would listen of the miracles and blessings that God gifted to them and even in his last days, they shared the gospel with a nurse in the ICU. Fred -Sweetheart, Dad, Papa, Pastor- had so many exceptional qualities that are hard to portray in words. His faith and trust in God allowed God’s love, strength, and compassion to shine through his speech and actions. The deep love that Fred poured out to his wife, family, and those around him will forever live on in our hearts and in his Godly legacy. Two Celebration of Life services will be held in Fred’s honor: • May 19, 2025, at 1:00 PM at The Church of the Apostles in Atlanta, GA • May 30, 2025, at 4:00 PM at Dunkirk Baptist Church in Dunkirk, MD Receptions will follow both celebrations. Flowers can be sent to The Church of the Apostles, 3585 Northside Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30327 for the May 19th service and Dunkirk Baptist Church, 11275 Southern Maryland BLVD, Dunkirk, MD 20754 for the May 30th service. Or you may want to consider a donation to Pastor Fred’s favorite charity, Mission:Dignity, a ministry supporting the widows of pastors. Two ways to donate: • Check – Mission:Dignity PO Box 819109 Dallas, TX 75381-9109 • Credit Card – MissionDignity.org/donate Check the box “I would like to make this a Tribute gift.” Praise God for our precious Papa!

Arthur Fred Dyer Jr.

March 9, 1944 - April 20, 2025