Richard Arlen Dyson

In loving memory of Richard Arlen Dyson, who passed away peacefully on June 1st, 2023, surrounded by his family.  Richard managed to stay only twenty six days longer on this earth without the love of his life, Judy. They are now reunited, the perfect ending to a true love story.
Richard was born on December 17th, 1940 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Daniel Dyson and Veda Elizabeth Ballard.
As a child, Richard was always on the go. He would get up in the morning, pack some food in his pockets, and be outside all day, just playing and exploring until dark.   He carried over that love of being outdoors into his adulthood and enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting and boating.  Richard especially cherished the annual Flaming Gorge vacation that he took with his family.  We will never forget the special memories made there and how much fun he was on those trips.  He would get teased relentlessly, but was always such a great sport, and he never passed up an opportunity to tease everyone right back!  We will never forget watching him waterski like a pro well into his 60’s.
Richard had a love for airplanes his entire life and at the age of seven got his first model airplane that could actually fly.  He would play with it non stop at home until one day he flew it into the back of his mother’s head- he was then relegated to flying it at only parks and schools.  One of Richard’s favorite date nights with Judy was parking near the runway of a small airport watching the planes take off and land, and most likely telling Judy about how much better he could have done it, lucky Judy!   Later in life, Richard became a member of the Civil Air Patrol flying high altitude radar missions for the DEA as well as being involved in search and rescue operations.
Richard also had a love for boats, so at the age of fourteen he joined the Sea Scouts and would sail out on the Great Salt Lake every weekend.  After a trip to Pensacola, Florida Richard knew that one day he wanted to combine his passion for flying and sailing and become a pilot for the Navy.
When Richard turned sixteen and was old enough to drive, cars became his obsession.  He would spend most of his time and money working on them during the week so he could race them on the weekend, especially his 1957 Thunderbird.
With all of the “loves” in Richard’s life, in the Summer of 1961, Richard would meet his one and only true love, Judy Kay Moffat Dyson.  They were married on November 14th, 1961.  Three months later, Richard’s dream of flying for the Navy came true when he was called to active duty and stationed on the aircraft carrier, U.S.S. Kitty Hawk.  During this time, he and Judy had their first child, a baby boy, Richard Jr, who passed away soon after birth. Richard was discharged in February 1964 and he and Judy continued to build their family of five more children, four boys and one girl, in the next seven years.
Richard started working for Birrell Bottling Company in Provo, Utah in 1964. In 1974 he moved his family up to North Salt Lake, Utah and started working as a salesman for the Keebler Company.  He remained there until he retired in 2002.
Richard was athletic and enjoyed being involved in sports, so it made sense that his boys would follow in his footsteps.  He absolutely loved taking an interest in their sports and coached all of them in football and baseball for many years. They also played basketball and wrestled, which he supported from the sidelines.  Whether as a coach or a spectator, you could always hear Richard, he had that type of voice and he was never afraid to use it!
When Richard was blessed with grandchildren, the tides turned and the girls took the lead 16 to 8,  but he never discriminated, he was as ferocious in the stands cheering on his granddaughters as he was his grandsons.  He was pro family and supported everything they did no matter what.  He was just as happy to sit in an auditorium and watch them in a musical production, a dance recital, or in a rodeo arena watching barrel racing.  He was so proud of his entire family.
In the Summer of 2002, Richard and Judy bought their first Mazda Miata. A few months after that, they joined the Utah Miata Club and they spent the next 20+ years enjoying some of the best times of their lives.  They made lifelong friends, went on countless local and long distance drives, enjoyed a couple of amazing international cruises and attended too many lunches and holiday events to count.  Richard cherished all of these times with this group.
Richard kept himself busy during retirement while working as a crossing guard in the Davis County School District near his home in North Salt Lake for 10 years.  Richard loved getting to know the children and their families by name and looked forward to seeing them each and every day.  The fun interactions, teasing words, and watching these kids grow up from kindergarten through sixth grade made him feel like they were his second family.  They all had a special place in his heart.
Richard is survived by his children: Todd (Josey) Dyson, Brent (Dianna) Dyson, Trisha Dyches (Jeff Barrick), Burke Dyson, Greg (Shelley) Dyson;  24 grandchildren, and 30 great-grandchildren, sister: Betty Birrell, brother: Pete Dyson.  He is preceded in death by his wife: Judy Kay Moffat Dyson, son: Richard Arlen Dyson Jr. His brothers: Mel, Russell and Glenn Dyson and sister: Juanita Enser
Dad, when you see mom, tell her again, “Judy, look what you started!!”
Service Information
Viewing June 10, 2023 at 9:00 AM
5850 South 900 East Murray, Utah 84121





Funeral Service
June 10, 2023 at 11:00 AM
5850 South 900 East Murray, Utah 84121