Earl S. Dye, Jr.

Earl S. Dye Jr. age 85, born in Dayton Ohio on September 2, 1924 passed away peacefully in his sleep on May 22, 2010 at home in Denver. Earl is survived by his wife Margaret L. Dye, his four children, Earl, Susan, Joe and Stephen, son-in law Brad Butts, daughters-in-law Cindy Dye, and Kappy Dye, grandson-in law Joshua Livermore, seven grandchildren, Jamie Livermore, Laurie Butts, Christopher Dye, Nicholas Dye, Kelly Dye, David Dye and Christy Dye and two great grandchildren Elizabeth Livermore and Katelyn Livermore. Earl and Margaret recently celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary. After graduation from Oakwood High in 1942, at age 18 Earl enlisted in the Army to serve in WWII. In 1943 Earl received his Congressional appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point New York where he had earned the distinction of company commander in the corps of cadets. Earl was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the US Army, Infantry in 1946 and thrived in the fellowship of his comrades. Earl served in the US Army for 22 years and retired from the service in 1968 with the rank of Lt. Colonel. Highlights of Earl's military career included his training with the 10th Mountain Division at Camp Hale Colorado, his promotion to Company Commander in the 82nd Airborne, service in Korea during the Korean War and the command of the 39th Infantry Battalion in Germany at the height of the Cold War. Earl exemplified the West Point creed of 'Duty, Honor, Country.' In the course of his military service, Earl made lifelong friends with many of those with whom he served and their families. After retiring from the Army in 1968, Earl embarked on a new career in civilian life and moved the family to Denver to the place that would be his home for the next 42 years. Earl threw himself into his new career in real estate development and construction in Denver with the same zest and determination that had propelled him in the military. Earl worked with the Trammel Crow Company and later with Western Federal Savings as the Vice President in charge of new construction where he worked until his retirement. In his golden years Earl basked in the love and affection of his friends, neighbors and family. He delighted in the progress of his three sons, his daughter, and their families as well as his many friends and neighbors. Throughout, Margaret was his dearest love and the true partner who completed him. Earl, ever the soldier, never quit, never lost his wry sense of humor, and forged ahead always with goodwill, compassion and a love of life. He will be deeply missed, but his indomitable spirit survives. All who knew Earl celebrate his life and will strive to follow his example. The memorial service will be held at Christ Episcopal Church on June 4, 2010 at 11:00 am, followed by a reception at the church and burial at Fort Logan at 2:15 pm.