George Dale Dykes, Jr. was welcomed into the arms of His Maker with his loving family by his side. He was born in Houston, Texas to Rossie Dykes and George Dale Dykes, Sr. He was a faithful Christian, as well as a loving husband, dad, brother, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, cousin, and friend to many.
Shortly after his birth, his family moved to Teague, Texas, where he spent most of his childhood. At that time, little boys wore knickers. George picked up the name, “Bob Short”, which soon changed to Bobby. He was called Bobby by his family and friends until he was grown and went to work.
In 1935, his family moved to Austin, as his mother wanted her boys to go to UT. He went to junior high, then to Austin High School, where his graduated in 1942.
He became involved with the Methodist Youth Fellowship at First Methodist Church. It was here that he met his special love and best friend with which to share the next 76 years of his life. He and Betsey Lander were married on June 25, 1946, in First Methodist Church, Austin. They and four other couples in that MYF were married that summer and started the Wedding Ring Class which was led by Mary Nell Garrison. They remained friends with this group and met every five years with all the families until early 2000. Their families still remain close.
Prior to his marriage, George attended San Marcos School for Welding and in 1944, he and his brother, Ed, joined the Merchant Marines and went to War. He served in the Pacific, Atlantic, and the Mediterranean Sea. He went to Officers School and became an Ensign.
After the war, he and Betsey moved to Port Lavaca, Tx, where he began working at the new ALCOA plant in Point Comfort. He retired from ALCOA in 1986 as a Power House foreman.
In 1961, Betsey’s sister became ill with cancer and passed. Four months later her brother-in-law passed so their children, Connie and George, came to live with the Dykes. The family had just moved to the Olivia community across the bay from Port Lavaca. It was a huge adjustment for all but George welcomed his new larger family and was so supportive of all his children’s activities. He introduced himself to everyone as the “Daddy Rabbit”. Later, when Connie had children, they called Betsey, “Bunny”.
In 1990, George and Betsey moved to Lake Travis to property previously owned by her aunt and uncle. There they built their new home and began going to Lake Travis United Methodist where they remained active all these years.
George and Betsey spent many years traveling to all 50 states in their RV. They square danced wherever they went. They enjoyed bird watching and supporting their kiddos in their 4-H and sport activities.
He was a Mason and received his 75 year award in January 2022 from the Grand Master of Texas. He was a member of Port Lavaca Masonic Lodge, Worthy Patron in Order of the Eastern Star, and served on the Board of the Rainbow Girls.
He was active in the Ben Hur Shrine in Austin and served as Marshall in the Provost Guard.
George is survived by his loving wife, Betsey, his daughter, Becky and husband, Don Kuykendall, son Dale and his wife, Lesa, son George Taylor and his wife, Candy, his four grandchildren Krista Dorn, Robin Steger, Bill Dykes, and Ryan Dykes, their wives, 5 great grandchildren, 2 great, great grandchildren, and nieces Tess Sutton, and Leslie Bradley.
He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Edward, his daughter Connie, his grandsons, Sammy Pace and Dean Steger, along with many other close relatives.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Shriner’s Hospital for Children, 815 Market St., Galveston, TX, 77550, Lake Travis United Methodist Church, 1502 R R 620 N, Lakeway, TX, 78734 or a charity of your choice.
