Mr. Charles "Herb" Herbert Dykes 91 of Earleton

June 19, 1930 - June 18, 2022

Mr. Charles Herbert (Herb) Dykes, age 91, a longtime resident of Earleton, FL passed away peacefully Saturday, June 18, 2022, at his home on Little Lake Santa Fe. Mr. Dykes, or Papa as most people called him, was born June 19, 1930, in Toombs County, Georgia to William Thomas and Mary Inez Dykes. He met his wife, Irene Floyd Dykes when he was working as a butcher in his brother’s grocery store in Hinesville, GA. It was love at first site and they were married on December 31, 1950. They enjoyed 69 beautiful years together prior to her death on January 15, 2020. Mr. Dykes served several years in the U.S. Army where he was a cook. After the Army, he earned an Undergraduate Degree in Industrial Management from the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia. He had a longtime career working in engineering with Southern Bell Telephone Company/AT&T until his retirement. Mr. Dykes loved Jesus and was a dedicated servant of God and a faithful Christian. He made a profound impact on many lives. Most recently, he was a member of Cross Point Church and for years, hosted a church community group with his belated wife at their home on Wednesday nights. For most of his adult life, he served as a deacon and taught Sunday School. He was always willing to share whatever he had with others. If you came to visit, he’d pick a bag of oranges off his trees and send it home with you. As a young man, he took dancing classes at Arthur Murray and was an impressive dancer. He took pleasure in gardening and was also an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and just spending time in the woods or on the water. For many years, he was involved in a family hunting camp in South Georgia and was the designated butcher when a deer was brought into camp. He vacationed every year at Crescent Beach with his family where he loved to fish for flounder and sheepshead. He enjoyed annual excursions to Alaska for more than 20 years fishing for halibut with his wife, other family members, and friends. He always appreciated the beauty of nature and traveled often with friends in the fall to see the changing leaves. In addition to his parents, Mr. Dykes was preceded in death by his wife Irene Dykes, eldest son Gary Dykes, four brothers, and two sisters. His survivors are his three children Mark Dykes (Nancy) and Mike Dykes (Kim) all of Keystone Heights along with Nandra Weeks (Rick) of Jacksonville. Also left behind are his ten precious grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. The passionate love and faithfulness shared by Granny and Papa is an inspiration to us all. The family will receive friends and family on Friday, June 24, 2020, from 5-7 p.m. at Jones-Gallagher Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, June 25, 2022, at the Park of the Palms Chapel (Keystone Heights, FL) with Rev. Rick Ergle officiating (753 Hebron Avenue, Keystone Heights, FL). Interment will follow at Eliam Cemetery (821 State Road 21, Melrose, FL) followed by a barbecue lunch and fellowship in the Park of the Palms Dining Hall (702 Palms Circle, Keystone Heights, FL). Flowers are welcome or memorial contributions may be made to Haven Hospice, 4200 NW 90th Blvd. Gainesville, FL 32606. Arrangements are under the care of JONES-GALLAGHER FUNERAL HOME, 340 East Walker Drive, Keystone Heights, FL 32656. www.jonesgallagherfh.com.