John Henry Dykstra

Born on August 9, 1943, in Ayer, Massachusetts, John was the beloved son of Henry Samuel and Donna Alberta (Ludwig) Dykstra. He spent most of his life in Phoenix, Arizona and Temple, Texas.

A graveside service to celebrate John’s life will be held at 10:00 am Saturday, August 9, 2025, at Bellwood Memorial Park in Temple, Texas.

John attended Lamar University, where he studied Electrical Engineering. He went on to have a long and successful career in the industrial transformer and electrical industry. However, his passion for technology extended well beyond his career—John was a lifelong tinkerer. Whether it was gadgets, electronics, ham radios, or computers, he knew how to use them, fix them, and improve them. He even helped start a small software company during the early days of the personal computing boom and remained involved in the tech world for much of his life.

John had polio as a child and spent many hours in children’s hospitals. That early experience inspired a lifelong love of machines and tinkering, which kept his hands and mind busy throughout his life. He also found great joy in storytelling, and those who knew him will remember the many fascinating tales he shared, often inspired by his adventures, travels, and the people he met along the way.

He is preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his cherished younger twin siblings, Jeanne Hall and James Dykstra, with whom he shared many memories and a deep familial bond. His nieces, nephews, friends, and countless new acquaintances all have a favorite story they once heard from John—some even more than once. He was grateful for friends who took the time to talk and listen, and it brought him joy to be surrounded by those

who cared.

John’s faith was a quiet but steadfast part of his life. His loved ones find peace knowing that he is now walking with his Savior, Jesus Christ, free from the physical burdens he bore in life.