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Jessie Dixon Dye

Jessie Dixon Dye obituary, Rancho Bernardo, CA

BORN

1923 – 2012

Jessie Dye Obituary

Jessie Dixon Dye, of Rancho Bernardo, passed away peacefully on July 4, 2012, at the age of 89. He was born on May 13, 1923, in Cochran, Georgia, to Johnnie B. and Ruby Mae Grimsley Dye. He was the eldest of four brothers.
Jessie enlisted in the U.S. Navy in November 1940. Upon completion of training, his company was selected to march in the January 1941 inauguration parade for President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's fourth term. Jessie proudly served in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, before retiring on March 1, 1971, as a lieutenant. During World War II, he crossed the "T" aboard the USS Melvin in the Battle of Surigao Strait, which was part of the Battle of Leyte Gulf in the Philippine Sea. The Melvin made night torpedo attacks on heavy enemy vessels in what is generally considered to be the largest naval battle and the Japanese Navy's worst defeat of World War II.
Following retirement from the Navy, Jessie was a popular Naval Junior ROTC instructor at Orange Glen High School in Escondido from 1974 through 1987. He was a lifetime member and officer of many veterans groups, including the Fleet Reserve Association, Branch 9; Disabled American Veterans; Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 7766; and Military Order of the World Wars, Gen. J.P. Holland Chapter.
He held various offices in the Fleet Reserve Association, including President, and served for 25 years as the Legislative Chairman for the Fleet Reserve Association, writing a monthly column for its newspaper. He participated for many years in the Rancho Bernardo Fourth of July Parade with the Military Order of the World Wars and a Color Guard from the Orange Glen High School NJROTC.
Jessie was active in his community as well, serving on the Rancho Bernardo Community Council and as Deputy Director of the Rancho Bernardo Emergency Preparedness group. He served as a member of a working group of citizens to study the proposed Balboa Park Master Plan amendments and the Zoological Society of San Diego leasehold in 2000/2001. He was instrumental in saving the San Diego Veterans War Memorial Building in the park which was slated for demolition to make room for a parking garage. In 2000, the building received historical designation on the National Register of Historic Places.
Jessie was a positive and optimistic person who loved telling a good joke or an entertaining story with a twinkle in his eye. He was a Navy man through and through and enjoyed telling the story (with a sly grin) of receiving his first pair of shoes when he enlisted in the Navy as a teenager from Depression-era rural Georgia. In a 1994 newspaper interview, Jessie reflected on his successful career. "A lot of it has been due to a certain kind of luck, as well as hard work," he said. "I never minded the hard work and I've been grateful for the luck."
Jessie is preceded in death by his loving wife of 67 years, Mary Katherine Walsh Dye, who passed away on July 5, 2010. He is survived by his daughter, Maureen Cummings and son-in-law, Dick Cummings; son, Jesse Dye and daughter-in-law, Elaine Dye; grandchildren, Gillian Beck, Sean Cummings, Eric Dye and Carolyn Marshall; great-granddaughters, Ashley Blose, Kaitlyn Cummings and Lauren Cummings; and brother, Clifford Dye. He is predeceased by his brothers, Charlie "Sam" Dye and Bobby Dye.
He will be deeply missed by all who loved him.
Military funeral honors and inurnment will take place on Tuesday, August 7, 2012, at 11 a.m. at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in Point Loma.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Pomerado News from Jul. 18 to Aug. 17, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for Jessie Dye

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Maureen Cummings

July 12, 2025

Can´t believe 13 years have gone by since your last July 4th with us. I miss you and Mom each and every day.
Sis

Maureen Cummings

July 12, 2024

Hi Dad and Mom,
Here we are 12 years later.
The world has changed since you left it, you would scratch your head about some of it.
I think of you and Mom all the time and wish we could talk one more time. We all love you and Mom and miss you so very much.
Sis

Maureen Cummings

July 12, 2023

Hi Dad,
We miss you and Mom more than ever. I treasure the memories I have of you and I occasionally see you in my dreams. Take care of Mom, Schnapps and my Beignet.

Sis

Maureen Cummings

July 12, 2022

We can never forget the day you left us for heaven. Normally you would have been riding in the Rancho Bernardo parade, as you did for years. But on July 4, 2012 you went to join Mom in heaven. We all miss you so much, but have your wonderful memories in our hearts.

Maureen Cummings

July 13, 2021

I sure do miss you Dad. I know you are happy with Mom up in heaven. On July 4th I was remembering that sad day 9 years ago when you left us. You missed your RB parade that day. You left this earth just as the parade started, you marched in your own parade to see Mom.
Love, Sis

MAUREEN CUMMINGS

May 13, 2021

Today is the ninth year since you left us to go to heaven. You would have been 98 years old today, May 13, 2021 your birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD.

August 4, 2012

To the family of Jessie Dye: I am so sorry for the loss of your loved one. May the God of all comfort help you during this difficult time. Cor. 1:3,4

Eric Dye

August 2, 2012

Grandpa, I miss you very much. However, it does bring me comfort to think that you are out of pain and are with Grandma again. Thank you for all of your love and support throughout my life. We will say a proper goodbye to you next week. Love, Eric

July 29, 2012

Offering my deepest condolences and may the God of all comfort be with you during this difficult time. Ps 55:22

Patricia Gurnon

July 23, 2012

Maureen, Butch, & Family,
So very sorry for your loss. Many thoughts and prayers to you all.

Butch Dye

July 23, 2012

Each day I think of you and Mom,and wonder what you two are now doing....I thank you both for the joy you gave us and the world...Love Butch

Colleen Crowden

July 20, 2012

My deepest symphany to all of the Dye family. Mr Dye ( as I called him since I was 8 yrs old) was a wonderful man who I adored. I will miss his stories and that bright smile!

Maureen Dye Cummings

July 20, 2012

We will miss your forever Dad. I will always remember your easy going manner and love for all of us. You and Mom are together again and that brings me peace.

Showing 1 - 13 of 13 results

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