Col. Everett C. Dye

Obituary for Everett Cay Dye (February 17, 1932 – September 29, 2025)

It is with a heavy heart we announce the passing of Col. Everett C. Dye on September 29, 2025, at the age of 93 in Midland, Texas. He and his wife, Helen Pendleton Dye, were born and raised in Independence, Kansas. They became high school sweethearts, and both were graduates of the University of Kansas (KU). Everett received a college basketball scholarship due to his outstanding play in high school, and he also joined the ROTC to get ready for a military career. In 1952 the KU Jayhawks won their first NCAA National Championship with Everett on the team.

After college, he joined the USAF and had a decorated and storied career achieving many honors and medals as a full-bird Colonel in the twenty-four years that he served. He was asked to join the Pentagon and become a General but decided to decline the offer and retired from the Air Force.

Living in the Denver area, he and Helen joined a group of friends to begin what was to become Cherry Hills Community Church in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. Unfortunately, Helen died in 2003 making Everett a widower. In 2004 he remarried a longtime friend Joyce Blackburn. Joyce was also a recent widow and was Helen's best friend growing up in Independence, Kansas. Everett and Joyce were married for twenty-one years, and Joyce has survived him, still living in Midland, Texas near her family.

Everett was greatly admired by his family and all who knew him for his genuine kindness to all. He had many friends and will be missed deeply. Everett is survived by his wife Joyce Dye and his two sons David and Greg Dye, five grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

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