Dr. Marshall James Dyke

R.I.P DAD
As he often said,  “You have to expect losses in a big program”  To his family and friends, he is an immense loss in a huge program . He was truly a one-in-million, deeply loved, impossible to forget, hilarious and undeniable life force. A life marked by a humongous heart,  unmistakeable charisma, extraordinary generosity, incomparable humor and hard earned humility. Known for his razor sharp wit, he lit up the room like no other, delivering stories and jokes that left people laughing till they cried. He leaves behind a powerful but complicated legacy of strength, resilience, forgiveness, compassion, enduring optimism and the importance of getting back up when life knocks you to your knees.
A decorated war hero and surgeon who  saved lives in combat and profession, he carried that same intensity into every chapter of his life, for better and for worse…..
DR. MARSHALL JAMES “Jimmy” DYKE,  aka “Papa Jimmy” (PJ) beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather passed away peacefully in his sleep January 3, 2026. He was 88 years old. Dr. Dyke was born in Eugene, Oregon to Dr. Marshall Richard Dyke and Janet “Nettie” Rabak.  He was raised in Borger, Texas,  and graduated from Borger High School where he was an all-state baseball and football player. He attended college at the University of Texas in Austin where he met Laurie Kathleen Rayburn from Houston, whom he later married and with whom had two children.  He earned his  medical degree at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas. When conflict escalated in Southeast Asia, he volunteered for the Air Force and serving two years in service as a flight surgeon, fighter pilot and Captain in one of the first bomber squadrons in the Vietnam war, where he earned a Bronze Star  and was  awarded the Medal of Valor for acts of extraordinary courage.
After the war, he completed his residency in Little Rock, Arkansas, and moved his young family to Conroe, Texas, where he established a thriving medical practice as an Ear, Nose, and Throat surgeon. What began as a single office grew into Conroe Ear, Nose, Throat and Allergy Clinic, spanning three successful locations across three cities. While the waiting rooms displayed the renowned paintings of his accomplished brother, the most memorable spaces were the hallways—covered with children’s drawings, handwritten thank-you notes, and letters from young patients he adored.That same love defined every part of his life: deep, lifelong friendships and, above all, unwavering devotion to his children. No matter how long the days or how demanding the practice, he never missed a game, a birthday, a performance, or a school event of which were many. His children never had to search for him in the crowd, they simply followed the sudden sound of laughter erupting from the stands.
His life, however, was not a simple success story but included profound struggle. In the early nineties after decades of service to the Montgomery County community he succumbed to a drug addiction that ultimately cost him his medical license, his practice and a future he fought tirelessly to build. The loss broke his heart and altered the course of his life. He fought relentlessly for years to reinstate his license, and reclaim his profession, reputation and sense of purpose.  Finally, as a much older man, was granted the right to practice medicine again only if he repeated his residency. Undaunted,  Dr.Dyke went back to Little Rock and did just that. By then in his mid-sixties, he used his experience to also mentor decades younger residents with humor and humility in both medicine and good life choices-offering honesty, understanding, and compassion without judgment. Following two more  years as a physician, he retired in the early 2000’s.
He is survived by his daughter, Kellie Leeves-Farmer and husband Robert Farmer of Austin, his son Cory Van Dyke and wife Jennie Lynn Hamilton of Marfa, Tx and Oregon, and son’s Marshall Dyke and Mickey Martin of Houston; grandchildren Hunter Steven Leeves and wife Kelly Leeves, granddaughter, Meghan Kathrine Leeves,  and grandson Trenton Maxwell “Max” Leeves; great-grandchildren Holden Lewis Leeves, Elizabeth “Elle” Drew Leeves, and Cohen Ryan Leeves. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brother Larry Warren Dyke of Friendswood,Tx, and grandson, Drew Christian Leeves.
He was many things— but most importantly,  he was undeniably himself. He lived life at full volume.
He did not live a neat life. He lived a real one.He loved fiercely and was deeply loved in return.
The family sends heartfelt thanks to his loyal and extraordinary friends who stood by him till the end including Dr. Jess Legg, Dr. David Alger, Dr. Robert “Bobby” & Edie Stewart, Mr. “Scooter” Darden (since kindergarten), Dr. Vince Mathews, Mr. Bobby & Gail Stillwell, Ms. Eddie Lagway also, Frank Tejada VA Home , Trinity Hospice and countless others who never let him walk alone.