Donald Keith Dye

1942 - 2009

Donald Keith Dye, a life-long resident of the South Bay, passed away peacefully at home with his family by his side on Friday, February 6, 2009 in Lawndale. Born in Culver City, CA, Donald was 66 when his long and courageous battle with cancer ended. He grew up in Hawthorne, CA and graduated Hawthorne High School and University of Redlands. Donald was a huge fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers, NASCAR and motor racing as well as being an avid golfer. Donald served in the Air Force, and was a member of Peace Officers Golf Association. He started his working life as a manager at the old Boys Market but spent most of his 35 years in law enforcement at Hawthorne Police Department and LA Unified School District Police Department. He held various different positions such as patrol officer, working the crime lab and police photographer, and his most favorite was educating police officers on effective defensive driving techniques. He also held positions in Lawndale government on the Planning Commission from the 1970's until 2009 including a role as Chairperson. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Carol Dye of Lawndale, CA; daughter, Dawnmarie (David) Zimmerman of Ligonier, PA; daughter, Stacie (Philip) O'Connor of El Segundo, CA; daughter, Jaime (Tighe) Dye-Mishler of Carson, CA; daughter, Carrie (Kevin Sedmak) Dye of Lawndale, CA; and 6 grandchildren; Quinn O'Connor, Jay Zimmerman, Samuel O'Connor, Evan O'Connor, Cole Zimmerman and Madilyn Sedmak. He was preceded in death by his parents, Keith and Vivian Dye. He was passionate about the importance and powerful bonds of family. He loved taking long drives up and down the California coast or the Sierra Mountains with Carol. Most recently, he really enjoyed watching his grandchildren play baseball, soccer, fly kites, sing, dance, play music, and taking them to amusement parks where he could be a big kid. The family will hold a Memorial Service at Point Vicente Center in Rancho Palos Verdes on Thursday, February 12, 2009 at 5pm. A gathering of family & friends will be held at Rice Mortuary in Torrance on Friday, February 13, 2009 from 9am to 10am. Burial will follow at Pacific Crest Cemetery in Redondo Beach at 11am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org) or Torrance Memorial Home Health & Hospice (www.torrancememorial.org).