Richard Dyson

Richard Austin Dyson, 86 of Cumming, Georgia passed away on January 21st, 2026.

Richard was born and raised in Illinois, primarily residing in Oak Park and other suburbs of Chicago. After graduating from Oak Park High School, he proudly served for three years in the U.S. Marine Corp, followed by attendance at the University of Illinois.

He was a devoted Christian and fervently served his Lord. After moving to Georgia to reside with his daughter, he found joy in worship, fellowship, and prayer at the City on A Hill Church in Cumming, GA. He regularly attended the Full Gospel Businessmen's Fellowship in America speaker meetings, where he shared his testimony on Oct 1st, 2024.

Richard lived a full life enjoying many activities and hobbies throughout his life. Membership in the Elmhurst Model Train Club fostered his love of trains. He recalled and reminisced about each car he had ever owned while watching automobile restoration shows. He enjoyed many outdoor activities in all seasons in northern Wisconsin, including hiking, camping, snowmobiling and even dog sledding. He enjoyed attending and watching sporting events such as football games at the University of Illinois and baseball games in both Chicago and Atlanta. After recently discovering a local tournament club for a popular card game, he enjoyed playing with others at a local Senior Center and with family and friends.

He stayed connected with his family by regular phone calls, and personal visits whenever possible. He enjoyed traveling, especially visiting with family, throughout his life. He made a road trip to see his siblings in California in 2018, and a road trip to visit his daughter in Georgia in 2019, prior to moving to Georgia in 2020. Upon the passing of a cherished Aunt, a road trip to Virginia in 2023 allowed a meaningful visit with several of his cousins.

His fondness for driving also encouraged travel around the country, favoring staying in campgrounds and state and national parks for vacations.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his siblings Ken, Suzanne and Janice; his children Julie, Andrew and Dan Jacob; his grandchildren Austin, Avery and Alex; and first wife Nijole. He also was preceded in death by Juanita, his second wife and best friend for over 40 years. He served as stepfather to her children Heidi, Sara, Lloyd and Clyde; step grandfather to Robert, Kyle and John; and step great-grandfather to Rosemary and Daisy.

He will also be remembered by the many members of the extended family as well as his church family.

If you wish to send flowers, please ensure they are delivered by Saturday, February 21st to McDonald & Son Funeral Home for the services. They will also be used for the Memorial Service and Fellowship on Monday, February 23rd at the City on A Hill Church, also in Cumming GA. They will then be distributed to local nursing homes and senior care centers. As an alternative to flowers, if you wish, you may make a donation in Richard's memory to the City on A Hill Church, or to Jews for Jesus, a cause that was close to his heart.

Richard will be dearly missed, but the love, wisdom, and faith he shared will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.

Visitation will be on Sunday, February 22nd, 2026 at McDonald and Son Funeral Home from 1:00pm-3:00pm.

Funeral services will be on Sunday, February 22nd, 2026 at 3:00pm in the chapel of McDonald and Son Funeral Home.

A second celebration of life service will be held on Monday, February 23rd, 2026 at 11am at City on A Hill Church.

Interment will be held at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois on Friday, February 27th, 2026 at 2:30pm

The service at McDonald and Son will be live streamed on our website beginning at 2:45pm the day of the service.