Lonnie Giles Dyson

Lonnie Giles Dyson, age 89, of Grand Prairie, Texas passed away on Wednesday, August 4, 2021. Lonnie was born on June 26, 1932 in Egan, Texas to Lonnie Quitman Dyson and Thaola Rogers. His mother died very early in his life which made his childhood very difficult. It was the height of the Great Depression yet Lonnie, at age 8, was able to make money shining shoes. At the age of 10, he and his father traveled to Orange County, California to work on the commercial farms as field laborers. After one week, Lonnie decided he didn't like it there and hitchhiked all the way back to Oklahoma City by himself.

Lonnie joined the Marine Corps in May of 1950 and on his first leave in 1951, he met his future wife Ethel Wynon Redwine who lived in the River Oaks section of Ft Worth. He returned to Camp Lejune 10 days later, after his leave was over and a 6 month letter writing courtship began. Then, on December 26th 1951, Lonnie and Ethel became husband and wife. Soon the first of 4 children, Jeanice, was born in 1953.

Lonnie was very industrious, had many lucrative business investments and was very busy building their way of life. In 1958, Phillip Lonnie was born and Paul Gregory followed in July 1960. The youngest Son Jason Allen was born in 1970. The 70’s, 80’s and 90’s were good for Lonnie and in 1977 he opened his crowning achievement Grand Prairie Rental Center which still operates to this day. His business did well and was sold in 2008 when he retired to spend his remaining years at home.

Lonnie was preceded in death by his parents, Lonnie and Thaola Dyson. He is survived by his wife of 69 ½ years, Ethel “Nona” Dyson; children Jeanice Marlene Phillips (Ace), Phillip Lonnie Dyson (Barbara), Paul Gregory Dyson (Vicki), Jason Allen Dyson (Frances); grandchildren, Brian, Shane (Corrie), Matthew, Robert (Krystina); and two great grandchildren Myles Kate and Cash Robert.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in Lonnie’s honor. Donations may be made online at www.alz.org or by phone via 800-272-3900.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.beanmasseyburge.com for the Dyson family.