Robert Earl Dyess

Robert Earl Dyess, Sr., passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on October 30, 2015.
He was born in Winchester, MS on August 31, 1922, to Clarence and Vennie Dyess. He enlisted in the Army Air Corp after the bombing of Pearl Harbor and served in the Pacific where he was a radio operator on the B 25's therefore traveling extensively during the war. He met his bride while stationed in Rockhampton, Australia. After his enlistment, he worked for the Civil Service as an Industrial Engineer for 38 years at both Brookley Air Field and Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, MS.
After his retirement from Keesler, Mr. Dyess also worked for Broussard's Music as the only organ repairman on the coast. He founded S & J Heating and Air Conditioning which he continued to operate up until the age of 90. He was the Boy Scout Leader of Troop 191 in Gulfport for many years. Mr. Dyess was also part of the first Mississippi Gulf Coast Honor Flight.
Mr. Dyess was a very Christian man who practiced his faith throughout his life. He served as a deacon for over 50 years. At the time of his death Mr. Dyess was a member of Olivet Baptist Church and was responsible for rebuilding the church after Hurricane Katrina where he worked tirelessly until it reopened.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Joan whom he was married to for over 65 years; his son, Tommy and his great grandson, Eli.
He is survived by his daughter, Margaret (Ron) Sharpless and his son, Robert, Jr. (Janet) Dyess. He is survived by nine grandchildren, Kelli (Carl) Britt, Scott Sullivan, Stephanie (Chris) Stewart, Brandy (Mike) Peek, Jason (Jennifer) Dyess, Duane (Rachel) Dyess, Danielle (Derek) Ladner, Sandy (Brittany) Dyess, and Shane LaFleur; sixteen great grandchildren and one great great grandaughter.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2015, from 4pm-6pm at Riemann Family Funeral Home, 11280 Three Rivers Road in Gulfport.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, November 4, 2015, at 11:30am at Olivet Baptist Church on Klein Road in Gulfport, where family and friends may visit one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at Biloxi National Cemetery.
The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Gideon's International, c/o Olivet Baptist Church, 11924 Klein Road, Gulfport, MS 39503.
For more information, please call (228) 539-9800.