OBITUARY - Dykes

Mr. James Carrell Dykes, 81, of Clarksville, FL, passed away Tuesday, December 11, 2012, in Panama City, FL.

James was born on February 1, 1931, in Blountstown, FL, and had lived in Calhoun County for most of his life.

James enlisted in the Army at age 17. His service took him to many locations around the world including Germany, Ethiopia, and numerous missions to the Republic of South Vietnam. In 1962, he was awarded Army Aviation Soldier of the Year by the Secretary of the Army under President Kennedy. His sense of patriotism and loyalty to this country ran deep and paved the way for a hard working country boy to climb to great heights.
He retired in1969 as a Chief Warrant Officer and continued to serve his country as a civilian for many years. This gentle man was the true patriarch of his family. His love for family and friends knew no bounds and he was revered and respected by all who knew him. After retirement from the Army, James did contract work for the US Government. He also worked at the Abitibi Mill in Blountstown for a number of years and with BEK Construction Company as an instrument and electrical technician. He was a member of the VFW in Bristol, serving as chaplain, and was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
James was preceded in death by a grandchild, Faith Montgomery.

Survivors include his wife, Avis Dykes, of Clarksville; a son, Tommy Dykes, and his wife, Becky, of Clarksville; a daughter, Janet Montgomery, and her husband, Bob, of Cedar City, UT; three sisters, Dorothy Busher and her husband, John, Bea Ross, and Gail Segers, all of Clarksville; seven grandchildren, Jed, Zack, Tyler and Spencer Montgomery, Adam, Reid and Aelon Dykes; nine great-grandchildren, Will, Haven, Max, Seren, Gavin and Grayson Montgomery, Addisyn, Braxton and Braelyn Dykes.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 15, at 11:00 am (CST) at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Bristol with Bishop Walt Money officiating. Interment will follow in Clarksville Cemetery in Clarksville. The family will receive friends Friday, December 14, from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm (CST) at Peavy Funeral Home and Saturday morning, December 15, from 9:30 am until service time at 11:00 am (CST) at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Bristol.

All arrangements are under the direction of Marlon Peavy at Peavy Funeral Home in Blountstown (ph. 674-2266).