John Chester Dyer, 75
John Chester Dyer, 75, "was taken from us" on Feb. 2, 2008, by cancer, while residing at Brendan House in Kalispell. He fought a valiant battle, but in the end the cancer won and life lost.
John was born here in the Flathead Valley on May 22, 1932. He was the fourth child of Ray George and Dorothy Bernadine (Sheldon) Dyer. He grew up in Kalispell going to the grade schools, the Central School and Flathead County High School.
He met and married Pauline Smith in September 1950 and they spent over 57 years together.
John worked on some of the projects around the valley, such as the Hungry Horse Dam and the aluminum plant. He became a power lineman and started working on the large transmission lines leaving the dam.
He moved his family to Oregon for a time for work, then returned home to the valley, and worked for Pacific Power and Light as a lineman. He transferred to the telephone company and worked there until about 1977. He needed a change so he decided to try working in Alaska. That work out well for him, so he started commuting between Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, and Somers.
John was a proud member of the IBEW for 58 years. He was fortunate to be able to retire early in 1990.
Our dad loved the land, but the land he loved most was some property he bought years ago just off the Swan Highway near Ferndale. We always just called this land "The Woods." He enjoyed just going to "The Woods" and cutting Christmas trees, fire wood or logs for his little sawmill. He was always making a few boards from his mill for someone who needed them. I think he was always happiest at "The Woods."
John had some good trips before and after he retired. He went on some amazing hunting and fishing trips in Alaska, from the interior to the Yukon River, and to visiting family and friends, from Georgia to California.
He had seen several of his eight grandchildren get married and four great-grandchildren born. His life was as good as one man can have.
John was preceded in death by his mother and father; one sister, Frances (Dyer) Kienas; and one brother, James Dyer.
He is survived by his wife, Pauline; five sons, Ray and Margo Dyer of Kalispell, Jeff and Candy Dyer of Fairbanks Alaska, Ronnie Dyer, Lony Dyer, and Mark and Wanda Dyer, all of Kalispell; eight grandchildren, Tammy Dyer, Mathew Dyer, Leslie Dyer, Tracy and Amy Dyer, David and Christine Dyer, Brian and Jamie Dyer, Brett and Amber Dyer and Chelsea Dyer; four great-grandchildren, Jessica Olsen, Anthony Olsen, Nicole Olsen and Hannah Dyer; one brother, Kenny and Lona Lee Dyer; two sisters, Roberta (Dyer) Arnold and Shirley (Dyer) McDaniel; and many nieces and nephews.
Memorial services for John will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 8, in the Johnson Mortuary Chapel with Pastor Ron Pierce officiating.
Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for John's family. You are invited to go to www.johnsonmortuary.com to offer condolences and sign John's guest book.