Michael George Dyer

Michael was born in San Diego on October 13, 1940. He grew up in Pasadena, attending Wilson Jr. High and Pasadena High School where he graduated in 1958. He served in the United States Army, 101st Airborne Division as a paratrooper. Michael attended Ventura College where he played football. He was a member of the Operating Engineers Union for 35 years operating heavy equipment and working as a foreman building freeways throughout Southern California. He raced speedway motorcycles at the Ventura Raceway in the 1970s.

Michael retired to Mexico in 2000 where he liked riding his horses and conducting trail rides. He also enjoyed racing his horses, smoking cigars, and throwing sticks to his beloved dog, “Chuy”. Friends and family regularly gathered for his annual 4th of July barbecue at his home in Ventura.

Michael was preceded in death by his mother, Sonia Jean Dyer; uncles, John and Silver Vega; his beloved grandmother, Adelaida Vega and grandfather, Jesus Vega who raised him.

He is survived by daughter, Dolores (John) Castellano of Oxnard; son, Mike L. Dyer of Ventura; son, Dan Dyer (Ben Hu) of San Francisco; daughter, Christina (Scott) Whitehurst; granddaughters, Sarah, 7, and Emily Whitehurst, 5, of Athol, ID; also former spouse Marilyn Dyer of Ventura.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to longtime friend Joey Yniguez, all members of the Vega family, Carmen Gamez and the many health care professionals who helped during this challenging time.

Visitation will be held on Friday, February 22, 2013, 10:00 A,M, at the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Road, Ventura with a Memorial Service following at 11:00 A.M.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home and Crematory.