Bobby Dye Obituary

Bobby Russell Dye (Bob) went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and his precious wife, Kathy, on January 23, 2025 at his home with his daughter, Julie, by his side.
Bob was born in Breckenridge on December 27, 1934 to Russell and Edna Dye. He grew up on his family's dairy farm, "The Sayre Dairy," in Breckenridge. His father was the milkman and Bob had a happy childhood with family and especially his beloved grandmother, CC Sayre. The family moved some, and Bob spent part of his adolescence in Odessa and graduated from Odessa High School. He joined the Army and spent almost three years in Germany. His younger brother Tommy joined too and the two of them had many adventures driving around Europe. Bob was chosen to be trained in a "new fangled" technology, and thus his computer-programming career began before most people had ever heard of computers.
After leaving the military, Bob met Kathy, the love of his life, at Odessa Junior College where they both attended. They were married in 1960. A week after their marriage, Bob went to Bethel Alaska to work on a government missile project called "White Alice." The family always joked that Bob was a spy because his main job in Alaska was to "Watch the Russians" from the top of the frigid Russian Mountains near Bethel, Alaska. He logged Russian flight activity and was the supervisor of the civilian side of the missile project, He made many friends, military and civilian, and had great times at the Cape Newenham Officer's Club. A year after their marriage Kathy graduated from the University of Houston and went to join Bob in Alaska. They spent several years working, playing, and mostly having a great time. Bob bought an airplane and got a pilot's license and the young couple spent many enjoyable hours flying around Alaska. In 1968 Bob and Kathy returned to Texas and bought a ranch in the small community of Rowden, between Baird and Cross Plains. Bob raised cattle, pigs, chickens, and several crops, including wheat, oats, and peanuts. Bob (and especially Kathy) decided it was high time for him to finish his education, so while he farmed he also attended Tarleton State University where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Business. After a few years he realized that farming and ranching needed to be more of a hobby than way to make a living, and so Bob went to work as a Controller for Texas Oil Electric. Over the years, he wrote accounting computer programs for several companies in Abilene. In 1982, He opened his own company in Baird and called it "Callahan Electric." Bob was a master electrician by this point and he worked in homes, businesses, and on oil rigs providing electrical repair services. After several years Bob became interested in the growing problem of Asbestos. He opened a lab, "Analytical Labs," and spent the rest of his long career monitoring air samples during asbestos removal and teaching others to do so. Bob and Kathy traveled all over America with Bob's business for many years. 1989 and again in 1991 began his role as "PaPa" to Justin and Breanna, the job that he loved best. He was an attentive, loving, and indulgent grandfather, and he made it a point to do everything he could to bring love, fun, and happiness to the lives of his family, and especially the grandkids. Bob was of the firm (but probably flawed) opinion that Kathy, Julie, Brian, Justin, and Breanna were the smartest, most attractive, and best people in the world.
In 1994, Bob and Kathy purchased the grocery store in Baird and ran it for several years with Brian and Julie. Many good times were had and good friendships were made. After the grocery store closed, Bob and Kathy retired from the ranch and moved to Breckenridge, TX. They had great times there with family and friends and still managed to spoil the grandkids every chance they got, which was often. They joined the Presbyterian Church in Breckenridge and made wonderful friends who they loved dearly. Bob continued his teaching work and they enjoyed traveling for business and pleasure. They visited every state in the United States including Hawaii; they also traveled extensively abroad including England, China, Turkey, Spain, Greece, Germany, Italy, and others. They took over 25 cruises and even took frequent trips to the beach to let the grandkids swim and dig in the sand. They even took the grandkids to Disneyworld. They went back to Alaska numerous times to visit lifelong friends. In 2013 they moved back to Baird and enjoyed friends, family, and their home church, the First Presbyterian Church of Baird.
Bob loved life. His family was his greatest joy. He was the epitome of what a husband, father, and grandfather should be. He was an extreme optimist and rarely spoke badly about anyone. Bob was highly intelligent and while many people fear change, Bob embraced it and shined brightest when presented with new challenges.
Bob was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Kathy, his mother and father, and an infant daughter, Anna Michelle Dye. Survivors include his daughter Julie and son-in-law Brian Patterson of Baird, brother Tommy Dye of Abilene, brother Edwin and sister-in-law Ann Dye of Abilene, grandson and granddaughter-in-law Justin and Holley Patterson of Abilene, granddaughter and grandson-in -law, Breanna and Daniel DeVore of Baird and great-grandchildren Knox Patterson, Cooper Kathleen, Ellerie, Rosalie, and Asa Devore, a sister-in-law, Helen Dendy Smith, of Houston, nephews, nieces, cousins and dear friends too numerous to list by name, and Maggie, Bob's loyal, sweet beagle who always loved Bob completely and best.
A memorial service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Baird at 11:00 AM Saturday, February 1, 2025. The family suggests memorials to the Presbyterian Church of Baird or the Baird Volunteer Fire Department.
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