September 25, 1942 – October 9, 2023
Larry Warren Dyke passed away on October 9, 2023 at the age of 81. He was one of the most beloved and acclaimed artists of his generation and best known for his natural landscapes which sought to capture the revealed beauty of God. Larry was a self-taught artist and only turned to art later in life after serving as a teacher and coach for over a decade in Clear Creek and Alvin ISDs in the Houston area. His works have graced the walls of presidents, well-known actors and actresses, religious leaders, professional athletes, and countless families around the country. One of the greatest privileges of his professional life was being commissioned by Pope John Paul II for an original piece of art in the 1980s; President Ronald Reagan also chose one of Larry’s paintings to adorn bibles given to every member of Congress on the National Day of Prayer. Larry was imbued with a love of God’s creation and a deep faith in Jesus which anchored him throughout his life. It is hoped that his art and faith will continue to impact many generations to come.
However Larry was far more than an artist; the most prized role in his own eyes was as a husband, father, grandfather and friend. Larry was born September 25, 1942 in Breckenridge, Minnesota, the second child of Marshall Richard Dyke and Janet Howe Rabak. They later moved to Borger, Texas where he spent most of his childhood. Larry received a Bachelor of Arts in English from Baylor University where he was a dual sport athlete in football and baseball. It was at Baylor that he also met Martha Nelwyn Ford and they later married and had two children, Lane and Allison. He also later earned a Master of Education from the University of Houston. Larry spent most of his adult life in Friendswood, Texas, and, following the passing of Martha in 2007, he moved to the Texas Hill Country for much of his remaining years. He married Jane Addison Hart of Mason, Texas in 2017.
Larry was preceded in death by his first wife Martha, second wife Jane, son Lane and his parents. He is survived by his brother Marshall James Dyke, his daughter Allison (Beau) Egert, grandchildren Hannah (Nick) Barry, Hayley (Chris) Sinclair, Jim Bob (Ashley) Dyke, and Jenni Dyke; Grace, Lane and Ruby Egert; great-grandchildren Elijah, Noah, Ezra, Luke and Shepherd Barry; Lyla and Clara Sinclair; Lenora Dyke and Standson Adams; daughter-in-law Katie Dyke Kinsey and brother-in-law Ray Ford (Rita), and many other relatives and cherished friends.
All friends and family are invited to attend the visitation and funeral service to celebrate his life. The visitation will be held on Friday October 13, 2023 from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at Jeter Memorial Funeral Home, located at 311 N. Friendswood Drive in Friendswood, Texas. The funeral service will take place on Saturday, October 14, 2023, at 11:00 A.M. at Sagemont Church, located at 11300 S. Sam Houston Parkway E, Houston, Texas 77089. The burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Sagemont Church.
15 thoughts on “Larry Warren Dyke”
Larry was my childhood friend. He was a wonderful person with strong Christian values. He will be missed by many. He's with the Lord now.
Larry is a long term friend who never considered his ability as an artist as a special gift. Larry was a deep thinker and had the ability to keep one on their toes. He loved corny jokes and had a great sense of humor.
He loved God and was never bashful about sharing his faith. He was a student of God's word and loved Christian fellowship. He had an innate ability to meet anyone anywhere and feel as though he was one of their best friends. Another gift he often shared was trivia which evidenced his great memory. He will be greatly missed but his witness will live on through his exceptional art.
A wonderful man and mentor. I was so blessed to have studied under Larry. The world is a better place because he lived.
Eddie & I are honored to have many of Larry Dyke's artist proofs throughout our home. We met Larry & Martha while Eddie was the youth pastor at Sagemont. God has received a faithful man and our prayers are with Allison and her family. We will be forever thankful to have known Larry.
God has received a faithful man and our prayers are with Allison and her family. Eddie & I are honored to have many of Larry Dyke's artist proofs throughout our home. We met Larry & Martha while Eddie was the youth pastor at Sagemont. We will be forever thankful to have known Larry.
Larry was a true servant to God. A kind , witty, and generous man who valued God and his family above everything else. A truly remarkable man.
I went to school with Larry and we graduated from Borger High School in 1961. I was in a store several years ago that sold art work and I ran across one of Larry's creations. I immediately took it to the front to pay for it. There was a brochure with Larry's picture and a short bio. I wanted it, of course. The clerk said that he could not let me have it. It was their only copy. I said, "You don't understand. I went to school with this guy!" He reluctantly gave me the brochure. My condolences to the family. Larry was a wonderful friend through school. His art will live on forever, as will his legacy!
Great high school friend. Have several of his prints hanging in my home. RIP Larry!!
God blessed Larry Dyke with talent as a wonderful artist, whose amazing detailed paintings are hung all over this world. More than this, Larry was also a good listener & one who observed the details of everything around him, including the hearts and souls of the men and women and the boys and girls. Larry and Martha, his beloved late wife and mother of their children, we're friends to many, and both served in our Sagemont Choir. It was there that I met my wife Paula in 1995 and we got to know and love these wonderful Christian folks. They were always ready with an encouraging word to everyone they met. Being one of the taller men in our choir, I was blessed to be on the top row of the choir bleachers where I stood between two other tenors who were hilarious, witty men of God. The three of us were Larry Dyke on my right side and Dennis Nipp on my left side. We were in our 50s and had so much fun singing together and these guys just killed me with their dry wit. When the choir director Bill Cole was working with the altos or the sopranos on their singing parts, the men's singing bass parts & tenor parts were supposed to be quiet while he worked with the women to teach them their parts. We were like a couple of 10 year old kids that could not be still for a moment and be quiet. Although we tried to keep our voices hushed, it's just that we would let out belly laugh at the witty but corny jokes that were going on between the three of us. It wasn't long before the choir director Bill Cole looked up at us and gave us The Look. We understood. Especially (Larry understood, because he had been a former school teacher himself for many years before pursuing his artist work full time.) So we quieted down for a while. Paula and I are blessed to have known and served with these two wonderful Saints who have now reconnected forever where they can once again and smile and sing in the Heavenly Choir to Praise our Lord and Savior and our holy God forevermore. Before you know it, We will see You two on down the road, Larry and Martha. God rest your souls and enjoy the marriage supper of the Lamb. Save some dessert for us while you're at it. Cheers. Love from your friends, -Dusty and Paula Bush
Larry was the Brother I never had! We have traveled so may trails together searching for that next great master piece for him to paint. Our many conversations we shared on the phone. The times spent with Bill and I in Tomball. There are no words to describe what Lar has meant to
Us. Riding with him on a four wheeler in the hill country could be deadly, but we survived with so many fun memories. I will truly miss that phone call with a cheerful Lar, saying, “Sal when are you and Bill coming to see me.” Thank you Lar for sharing a part of your life with us. We are both better Folks because you were here.
Larry will be greatly missed. He was the kindest, warm-hearted, and caring individual. The first time I met him we talked Rockets, his art, and philosophy. I felt like I was meeting an old friend instead of a new one. He was one of those unique individuals that made you feel like you had known him forever the first time you met him. I send my deepest condolences to all who knew him and especially those blessed enough to call him family.
God bless!
ISAIAH 41:13
Larry will be greatly missed. He was the kindest, warm-hearted, and caring individual. The first time I met him we talked Rockets, his art, and philosophy. I felt like I was meeting an old friend instead of a new one. He was one of those unique individuals that made you feel like you had known him forever the first time you met him. I send my deepest condolences to all who knew him and especially those blessed enough to call him family.
God bless!
ISAIAH 41:13
I graduated with Larry from Borger High School on 1961. The last time I got to visit with Larry was at one of our class reunions. He brought one of his paintings to auction off as a fundraiser. I was fortunate enough to have got the highest bid. It hangs along with other prints I have of his. I feel blessed to have known such a Godly man.
What a wonderfully talented gentlemen. The beauty of his amazing works hang in so many homes and offices throughout our community and across our nation. God Bless you ,Larry for your love of God, family and community. We will miss you. May the strength of Our Lord be will your family during this difficult time.
What a great man Larry was. He and my dad taught together at Clear Creek for many years, became close friends and we were blessed to have several of Larry's painting in our house. He gave my dad one of his paintings as a retirement gift when he quit teaching and it is still in my mom's home today. Larry I'm sure Preston is greeting you from above. Rest in peace and God bless your family.