Dr. Paul Dean Dyer

It was a privilege to cross paths with Paul across many years of ministry both in the US and Africa. In fact our mothers were of kindred minds about missions. Only heaven will reveal the many contributions Paul and his wife both left behind as they labored for the Master. Praise God, there’s a grand reunion coming. Maranatha.

John Van Valin

I met Paul Dyer a few years ago and but only got to know him around 2019. He was such an inspiration to me and all of us who knew him. He loved the Lord and the Word and his ability to memorize scripture was amazing. He was friends to my brothers as well. He loved good books and had such a sharp mind. My favorite memories of him are visiting on his back porch and listening to his stories. Seeing his laminated copies of scripture on the door and hearing him talk about God. He had experienced God for real. And it showed in his character. I am grateful to have known him. I’d lost touch with him due to the busyness of life but we texted the week before his passing. Truly one of the dearest most intelligent men I’ve ever met. I will catch up on his stories in heaven one of these days.

I first met Paul Dean Dyer at a Christian college in Greenville, Illinois in 1964. Our last names were almost identical. (Dwyer and Dyer) and I had a brother named Paul and Paul had a brother named Dave. We quickly became friends. Paul taught me how to speak Canadian and put ketchup on my fried eggs. We spent the summer of 1965 selling dictionaries in south Texas. In mid February of 1966 my brother Paul and my other brother Paul (Dyer) were Best Men for Judy and my wedding in Larimore, North Dakota, almost 58 years ago. We touched base from time to time over the years but the horrific rainstorm and floods in Lexington that swept away Paul’s church brought us closer again as we talked more often on the phone and shared what was going on in our lives and prayed for each other and our families and life situations. In more recent months we often talked about what it would be like to leave this old world for the better one to come. I know you made a huge impact for Christ in the many lives you touched. The last time we prayed and talked together you told me that you just wished you could go to sleep some night and wake up in heaven. God knew what you wanted and needed and now you are safely home with Him. I look forward to seeing you again sometime soon my good friend. What a day that will be! Love and prayers for your family and friends. Dave Dwyer – Park Rapids, MN

My condolences to Gerry, Niki, Jason and Rebecca in the loss of your Dad. I’m sorry I can’t join with you in person for the celebration of his life. I don’t feel I can drive alone to Kentucky, especially in the winter. You know if your Uncle David was still here, we would definitely be there.
As you know, your Dad and David were very close. Your Dad said that David was a father image to him, as their father died when he was 13 or 14, and David was 6 years older.
I remember the many times Paul was with us in our home in Napanee, or at our trailer at Wesley Acres. When at the trailer, he loved to fish. He wanted to stay out in the boat for hours! And if it was a good day of fishing, he would wonder why there were daily limits to the amount of fish one could catch! He just want to keep on! And of course, he loved to eat the fish (and lots of them!), and he liked the way David fried it. And he never tired of eating it day after day! As I fried fish the other day, I thought of Paul and wondered if he would think it was as good as David’s?
Those times at Wesley Acres were also times the 4 Dyer brothers were together for a couple of days. They enjoyed those times so much. What fun they had – lots of stories and lots of laughs. Laughing was a characteristic of your Dad. He would laugh until he cried.
Over the years your Dad and David spent hours on the phone. I could tell when David was talking to him by the way he was laughing!
Your Dad cared about people. He was a man of prayer and loved the Word of God. He loved His Saviour, Jesus Christ and served Him.
I talked to your Dad on the phone on Friday evening. He always wanted me to pray before we hung up (reminiscent of his calls with David, as that was their habit). That morning I had read a prayer by William Barclay and at the time I thought that would be so appropriate to read to Paul the next time we talked. It closed with: “So grant us, to fight the good fight, to run the straight race, to keep the faith, that we may win the glory and he crown”. He said “wow, that was good”. On Saturday morning it took on new meaning. Paul kept the faith and won the crown!!

We were saddened to hear of the passing of my cousin Paul Dean. He is is a much better place with his Lord and Savior, Praying for his family.