Franklin Dyke
Member - Army
https://www.schradercares.com/obituaries/franklin-dyke
Franklin Dyke
April 30, 1925 — July 23, 2013
Franklin L. Dyke, 88, of Cheyenne, died 23 July
in Cheyenne. Frank was born April 30, 1925, 12 miles outside of
Carmargo, Oklahoma, the 4th child of Jesse N. and Millie M. (Crain)
Dyke. He married Leatha M. (Shelton) Riggs in Coldwater, Kansas, on
June 7, 1946. A marital partnership of 65 years. He proudly raised two
sons. Jimmy "Jim" F. Riggs became part of the family when Frank married
Leatha. Alvin L. Dyke was born September 1, 1947. Frank was a Charter
Member of the American Legion Post in Arnett Oklahoma. He was a past
member of the Disabled American Veterans. He belonged to the Military
Order of the Purple Heart and the Cheyenne Veteran of Foreign Wars, Post
11453. He was a dedicated member of the Knights of Pythias serving as
the Grand Chancellor (97-98) in the domain of New Mexico. Frank was a
member of the First Christian Church of Cheyenne. Frank served in WWII
in the European Theater. He was awarded two Purple Heart Citations for
wounds received in France and Germany. Frank worked various jobs over
the years from ranch hand to insurance agent. He was Operator and
Station Agent for the Santa Fe Railroad, retiring December, 1986. Frank
is survived by a sister, Donna A. (Dyke) Manhart of Durham, Oklahoma;
son, Al (Jerri) Dyke; daughter-in-law, Nancy Riggs; four grandchildren
and eight great grandchildren. Frank was preceded in death by his
spouse, Leatha; son Jim; his parents; brothers, Buddy (Melford), Don,
Dale; sisters, Mary Emma, Ila Mae, Daisy, and Lida. A Memorial Service
will be at 11:00 a.m. on August 9, 2013, at the First Christian Church.
Interment will at the Harmon Oklahoma Cemetery. Consider a donation to
the Cheyenne Animal Shelter. Cremation is under the care of Schrader
Funeral Home.
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VFW Frontier Post 11453
Monthly Newsletter
December 2011 Edition (Vol. 2)
Monthly Newsletter
December 2011 Edition (Vol. 2)
Franklin L. Dyke was born April 30, 1925,
twelve miles west of Carmargo, Oklahoma. His
parents are Jesse Neal and Millie Dyke. Frank
is the 4th child of nine. His brothers and sisters
are Don, Daisy, Melford (Buddy), Lida, Mary
Emma, Donna, Jesse Dale and Ila Mae ( died in
birth). He spent most of his childhood living
in the country. In 1942 his parents moved to
Arnett, Oklahoma, the county seat for Ellis
County.
His parents bought the Arnett "Help Yourself
Laundry. Frank worked at various jobs, such a
haying, and wheat harvesting. In 1943, he
went into the Army.
Frank received two wounds serving in the
European Theater. He took shrapnel in his
right calf near St. Die, France. Upon returning
to combat he was shot by a German sniper in
the battle for Nuremburg, Germany. The bullet
hit him just below the heart and torn a hole in
his large intestine. He spent 7 months at
Fitzsimmons General Hospital and was
honorably discharged from the Army in
November of 1945.
On June 7, 1946 he married Leatha M. Shelton
Riggs. Leatha had a son, Jimmy F. Riggs from
a previous marriage. Frank proudly accepted
Jim as his son. On September 1, 1947, Frank
and Leatha added another son to the family,
Alvin L. Dyke.
Over the years Frank worked in an IGA grocery
store, he worked roads for Ellis County, at a
National Gypsum ant in Kansas and worked as
a ranch hand on two different ranches. While
employed as a ranch hand he injured his back.
Following surgery on his back, he was severely
crippled as a result of nerve and hip damage.
He was told he would never walk again. After
years of shear determination he regained his
ability to walk again, although limited
physically, he worked hard and provided for
his family. Following the surgery on his back
he attended Oklahoma A&M, a trade school
and earned a Certificate in Accounting. While
at Oklahoma A&M he also earned his high
school diploma by passing the general
education tests.
He worked in the insurance business for
several years, first in Woodward, Oklahoma
and later establishing his own agency in Belen,
New Mexico. He was granted a contract from
the Santa Fe railroad which involved picking
up the train crews and transporting them to
the engine and bringing the incoming crews
back to the roundhouse. He developed this
contact into a successful business and sub leased it to another person that eventually
purchased the contract rights.
He was hired as an Operator and Station Agent
for the Santa Fe Railroad, from which he
retired in December, 1986.
In November 1996, Frank lost his eldest son to
cancer and in July 11, Leatha, his companion
for 65 years went to her peace.
Frank has two grandsons from Jimmy F. Riggs,
and 4 great grand-daughters. He has a
grandson and a grand-daughter from Al Dyke
and another great grandson and two great
granddaughters.
Influenced by Frank, his son, Jimmy Riggs
served over 20 years in the Air Force and his
son Al Dyke served 20 years in the Air Force.
His grandson, Scott Dyke is currently on active
duty in the Air Force.
(Written and submitted by Al Dyke)
