James Dyson

Dr. James W. Dyson practiced optometry in the St. Paul/Maplewood area for over 50 years, retiring at 76. Dr. Dyson died on February 3, 2011 of esophogeal cancer at the Veterans Victory House in Walterboro near his home in Sun City Hilton Head, South Carolina.



He was born on October 2, 1927, in the wonderful, quirky little town of Madison, Minnesota, where everyone remains close friends from birth to death. Upon graduation from High School in 1945, Jim enlisted in the US Navy serving at Great Lakes Naval Base in Illinois and at Jacksonville Naval Air Station in Florida. During the Korean War he served in the Army as a medic at Brooke Army Hospital in San Antonio, Texas, and at Rodriguez Army Hospital in San Juan, Puerto Rico. His college years were spent in Yankton and Brookings, South Dakota, before entering the Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago.



Traveling, scuba diving, skiing, getting a pilots license, playing golf, hunting, fishing, playing bridge -- there didnt seem to be much he wouldnt try and no end of good friends to join him. After moving to South Carolina in 2005, Jim joined the Sun City Strummers where he engaged in his passion of playing blue grass music on his guitar and jamming with other guitarist friends.



Jim and Georgia (Carey) married in 1958, are the parents of a daughter and a son and shared 18 years together. Later he married Kay (Maguire) and acquired another daughter and son. Their 30th anniversary will occur this September.



He was extremely fond of his office family at Maplewood Eye Care, Myra, Helen, and Pat and remained close to them. He came to love his patients and the feeling was mutual. When he sold his practice to Drs. Kraupa and Richter of the Eye Care Center and worked with them a few years, all his patients followed him.



The late Howard and Ingeborg (Belle) Dyson of Madison were Jims parents. His great friend and brother, Earl, preceded him in death in 1994. Jims stepbrother, Fred Dyson, died a number of years ago and another brother, Bobby, died as an infant before Jim was born.



Jim loved his family deeply and will be greatly missed by his wife Kay, who remains in Sun City Hilton Head. Also missing him are his children, Christine Dahn (Christopher) of Woodbury, Lee Dyson, Los Angeles, CA, Maureen Geoffrey, St. Paul, and Mark Geoffrey, Minneapolis. He was especially proud of his grandchildren. Coty (Dyson, 21 in April) is the oldest grandchild and was Grandpas tag-along for a long time. Jim was increasingly impressed with Cotys integrity, work ethic and ability to plan for his future, and his willingness to be the butt of Grandpas practical jokes. Samanthas (Dahn, 17 in May) is a junior in high school who is very actively involved in Youth Ministry and many forms of dance, especially ballroom and swing. Her Grandpa proudly showed Sams dance photos and book to anyone who would stop and look for a minute. He was impressed by Chelseas (Dyson,13 last month) artistic talents and ability to soak up anything she was taught to become a top student in her class. Connors (Dyson, 7) affectionate nature really moved Jim and his high energy really astonished and exhausted him. He and Kays mother, Roberta Maguire of Sun City, AZ, became great friends (except when playing bridge). He was very proud of his niece, Earl and Audreys daughter, Julie Geisler and her family of Edina. Julies husband Todd made sure Jim recorded his music in their studio so that we will always be able to hear him.

One of Jims closest friends, his brothers former wife Audrey Hadd was with Jim by phone constantly in the last few weeks making sure he was spiritually ready and able to accept whatever comes next. The family will be forever grateful to her for aiding Jim on his last journey to a better life with no pain and with all the people that love him.



Deserving all accolades possible are the staff and volunteers at the Veterans Victory House in Walterboro, SC. There wasnt a person involved with Jims care that didnt remark on his kindness and intelligence. He felt especially close to his nurses and care people and referred to them as Bobbi, Jackie the nurse, Jackie the tech, and Michelle. Odyssey Hospice attended Jim the last few days of his life and we can never say enough good things about their tender loving care.



Jim, all your family and friends will never forget you. We celebrate your life and mourn your loss and love you more than we can say. We expect Earl, Stub, Oats, and Don are waiting for you on the 1st tee.



A memorial for Dr. Dyson will take place in St. Paul, MN, in the spring. Details to be published later.



ARRANGEMENTS BY: THE BRICE W. HERNDON AND SONS FUNERAL HOME, WALTERBORO CHAPEL, 1193 Bells Highway, Walterboro, 843.538.5408.

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