School music teacher played in Lima Symphony Orchestra

4/17/2005

DELPHOS, Ohio - James Kinney Dyke, 58, a retired music teacher in the Lima, Ohio school system, died Wednesday in St. Rita's Medical Center, Lima.

He died from complications of heart failure, family members said.

Born in Wheeling, W.Va., Mr. Dyke attended public schools and graduated from Worthington High School near Columbus. He received a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in music from Eastern Kentucky University.

"He was a kind man who loved music and enjoyed people," Carolyn Dyke, his wife, said.

They married on June 21, 1986.

He started teaching music in 1978 and taught at Lima Senior High School, South Middle School, and several elementary schools in Lima.

He played string bass and all string and band instruments, his wife said.

Mr. Dyke also taught music at Ohio Northern University for 10 years where he played in the school's symphony orchestra. He retired in 2002.

A member of the Gomer United Church of Christ in Gomer, and the Allen County Retired Teachers Association, Mr. Dyke also played in the Lima Symphony Orchestra.

"He was introduced to music by his father, and he enjoyed all kinds of music," Mrs. Dyke said.

She noted that when he retired he enjoyed reading, writing, traveling, and listening to the radio.

Surviving are his wife, Carolyn Dyke; daughter, Sarah; son, Aaron, and a grandchild.

Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Monday in the Gomer United Church of Christ. Arrangements are being handled by the Harter & Schier Funeral Home.

The family suggests tributes to the music department of Gomer United Church of Christ.