Fred Dyas

To the Fred Dyas family:

Fred had already contracted Parkinson's disease by the time I met him, but he remained upbeat, cheerful, and had a good positive attitude. Fred was one of the good guys, a family man, an educator, a great story teller, joke teller, and a role model. To borrow a line from the Lonesome Dove movie to describe Fred, "He was cheerful in all weathers; he never shirked a duty; and he had splendid behavior."

Fred rode tall in the saddle and will be sorely...

Anna Maria, Scott, Matt and Family;
I am so very sorry for your loss. Fred was a truly remarkable person. My life was better for having known him. Every time I go to the lease, he will be on my mind. He will be missed. I learned so much from him, especially the photography ideas and creativity. Being in Los Angeles, I was unable to be with you for the services, but I will always remember Fred as the wonderful person he was.

In the 23 years that I knew Fred, he was always a positive-thinking, encouraging man with a very good sense of humor. It was later on, at Thorton ES, that I got to know him better. He treated me as if we were old friends. Come to realize...we were.

Godspeed, old friend. You will be missed.

Dyas Family

My mother informed me of the news. I am sorry that I did not get to tell Mr. Dyas personally but he changed my life at the early age of 3rd grade. He was my math teacher and somehow saw something in me that no one else did - a love for math. He would challenge me by giving these what I thought at the time incredibly tough math problems for homework each night. I would get frustrated in the beginning but then grew to like the challenges. This helped to spur my love for...

To the Dyas Family
I grew up with Fred, playing ball in the street, riding the bus to school, and playing in the band together. I remember his laughter, smiles, and even his wanting to push the limits of parents and band director. My thoughts and prayers are with you at losing not only a husband and father but also the loss of a good friend, and a good man. Please know that Fred will be missed by his friends and the people whose lives he touched. May your hearts be filled with peace...

Mr. Dyas was my principal at Valley Hi Elem. many years ago. He was later a mentor to me when I was in college to become a teacher. I was doing observations at Thornton and as I was leaving, I thanked him and stepped onto the front driveway - he grabbed me by my arm and pulled me back and said, "If you are going to be an educator, you need to follow the rules too. Use the crosswalk." I have never crossed the street w/o using the crosswalk since. He was one in a million and will be dearly ...

Mr. Dyas was my 4th and 5th grade teacher (1974-76), to add to his stress, he had my sister for 6th grade the year before (both of us at Adams Hill)!

He taught me a lesson I will never forget: "Ms. Eakin, I don't know if you are physically able (when I said 'can') but you MAY go to the restroom"! He also had the girls visit the boys' restroom to look at the walls and see that "they" didn't do the writing that we did and that we should be more classy!

I remember his paddle...

In 1977-1979, I was a student at Adams Hill Elementary and Mr. Dyas was one of our unit teachers. There are very few teachers that I look back on with fondness and remember the life lessons that they taught us, but Mr. Dyas is certainly at the top of that list. Mr. Dyas, you will be missed, but I hope to see you again in the future to shake your hand and say thank you.

Anna Marie -
You are the love of Fred's life.........so many of us have been enriched just knowing him. I will miss him. Cherish your memories.