Donnie Ray Dyer, 81 years and 7 months, of Roanoke County, left his earthly home to meet Jesus on July 30, 2015, at Lewis Gale Hospital. He was preceded in death by his father, Claude Dyer; and mother, Nettie Hager Dyer; his "boy," Rascal, who will meet him at the Rainbow Bridge; and his close friends, brother Cliff McClellan, Mike Christian, Dwight McGraw and Charlie Poff. He was also preceded in death by sisters and brothers-in-law, Robert and Edith Price and Mollie and Harold Gore. Survivors include the love of his life, his wife of 52 years, Barbara (Sammons) Dyer; daughters, Dawn Hrynyshyn (William) of San Antonio, Texas, and Dara Hurley (Tony) of Gwynn Oak, Md.; and three grandchildren, Lauren, Alec and Holly Hrynyshyn of San Antonio, Texas.

He was born December 27, 1933, in Logan County, W.Va., to the late Claude and Nettie Hager Dyer. He graduated from Logan High School in 1952, and West Virginia University Institute of Technology in 1961, where he received his bachelor of science degree. Prior to finishing college, he proudly served his country for two years in the 101st Airborne Division of the United States Army. He received his master's of science degree in school administration from Radford University in 1970

Don met his beloved wife, Barbara, on a blind date on September 15, 1962, when they went dancing. They were both teaching in Logan County at the time. They were married May 17, 1963. While living in Logan they were blessed with their first daughter, Dawn. Don was a teacher at Man Junior High School, where he was also head football coach and assistant basketball coach. Don, Barbara, and Dawn moved to Roanoke in 1967 where Don began his teaching and coaching career at Northside High School. He was an assistant football and basketball coach and then head basketball coach for three years. While at Northside High School he was a PE and math teacher and guidance counselor. In 1974 he was promoted to Assistant Principal at Northside Middle School where he remained for 22 years until his retirement. During that same year, Don and Barbara were blessed with the addition of their second daughter, Dara.

After retirement he enjoyed fishing, golfing, and gardening, and always loved visiting with his former players and friends from Northside. He and Barbara enjoyed attending Logan High School reunions and dancing which they did for 52 years. He also loved attending and watching WVU football games and drinking his Coke slurpees from Paul and Sonia Singh.

Don was a member of Cave Spring United Methodist Church which he attended regularly. He was also a member of BPOE Elks Lodge, and served on the Executive Council of the WVU Blue Ridge Mountaineer Club. He was also a lifetime member of the VA PTA. Don was a good friend to many and always helped anyone needing assistance. He will be missed by many cousins too numerous to mention and many special friends including Walter Aldridge, his garden "buddy," and Carl Klele, whom he called his brother.

The family would like to extend special thanks to Dr. Stephen Vivian, Dr. Donald Smith and nurse Deblyn Clark for all the help they have given us over the years. Also thanks to the 3rd floor nurses at Lewis Gale Hospital, and his caregivers at Brookdale Salem, Pheasant Ridge, and At Home Caregivers who provided so much help. Flowers are appreciated or contributions may be made to Cave Spring United Methodist Church, Roanoke County SPCA, Angels of Assisi, or the American Heart Association. Any Northside player, coach, or friend who wishes to pay their respects are invited to sit together as he considered them all family.

The family will receive friends on Monday, August 3, 2015, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. at Oakey's South Chapel. Funeral service will be at Cave Spring United Methodist Church on Tuesday, August 4, 2015, at 10 a.m. with the Rev. Denise Bates and Joanna Paysour officiating.

Don's stroke on September 11, 2014, robbed him and all of us of so much, but God has now restored to him all that he lost. He was a caring husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather and friend and will be greatly missed.

https://roanoke.com/obituaries/dyer-donnie-ray/article_d19bb911-f7e4-5d01-a130-628efc67555f.html