James William Dyer

James W. Dyer, M.D., 89, died peacefully in Jacksonville, FL on October 8, 2023. Jim was born in Miami, OK on the 8th day of May in 1934, the younger son of Grover, a grocery store owner, and his wife Leila. He grew up in Miami and earned the nickname “Speed” because he always won when he and his friends were racing their tricycles. During family visits, Jim was so inspired by an uncle who was a doctor that he decided to go into medicine himself. He attended the University of Oklahoma, arriving by train in blue suede shoes. After getting a B.S. degree, Jim achieved his dream by attending the University’s Medical School. Another dream was realized when a blind date led to a marriage proposal two weeks later. Despite getting cold feet, he took the plunge, love prevailed, and the rest is history. After joining the U.S. Air Force, and with Ann by his side, Jim completed both Internship and Residency in Orthopaedic Surgery at Walter Reed General Medical Center in Washington, D.C.

Jim’s first position in the U.S. Air Force was as the Chief of Orthopaedic Surgery at the U.S. Air Force Hospital at Travis Air Force Base in California. Subsequently, he was the Chief of Orthopaedic Surgery at the U.S. Air Force Hospital at Torrejon Air Force Base in Madrid, Spain. At the completion of his service, Jim and Ann relocated their family to Jacksonville, FL where Jim went into private practice. He practiced orthopaedics with Todd, Brown, and Dyer for 15 years and then had a solo practice until he retired. Positions held included Chief of Orthopaedic Surgery at Methodist Hospital, Chief of Orthopaedic Surgery at St. Vincent’s Medical Center, Assistant Professor at the University of Florida, and Teaching Staff at Hope Haven Children’s Hospital. Jim was also on the hospital staff of Baptist Medical Center and Parkside Surgery Center.

Jim was a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and a Member of the following: Eastern Orthopaedic Society, Florida Orthopaedic Society, American Medical Association, the Northeast Florida Orthopaedic Society, and the Duval County Medical Society. In addition, he received the AMA Physicians’ Recognition Award for Continuing Medical Education.

As a volunteer, Jim worked for a number of years with Orthopaedics Overseas as part of the World Team Medical Missionary Service, treating patients in Haiti, a mission near and dear to his heart. Other community involvement was as a Vestry member and Senior Warden at St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral, and as a Director and Paul Harris Fellow of the Westside Rotary Club. Jim also served as the team doctor for the Jacksonville Sharks in the WFL days, and for the 70s-era Bolles Bulldogs.

Jim’s two passions were medicine and family. He was known for being an excellent surgeon, and perhaps more importantly to his patients, for being a caring and attentive doctor who always took the time to listen. Always available for an impromptu medical consultation, Jim loved staying current with the latest developments and technology in medicine. He was equally devoted to his family. Jim’s time in the Air Force provided an opportunity to explore and learn about other countries, cultures, and people, and he shared that enthusiasm and those experiences with his wife, children, grandchildren, and friends. He valued education, asking questions, and loved jazz, opera and piano music, as well as snow skiing and a good round of golf. Jim loved attending services and being part of the community at St. John's Cathedral. He embraced every opportunity to travel, from Antarctica, the Amazon, and Yemen, to all points in between. Jim often shared that he had seen and experienced things in his life that he never could have imagined. He was forever grateful for a full life that included family and friends.

Jim is survived by Ann, his wife of 66 years, his daughter Hayden (P.H.) Behnke, sons Bill Dyer, Greg (Mary Beth) Dyer, and Brad (Gail) Johnson, seven grandchildren and one great grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, George.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, October 27th at 11:00 am. at St. John’s Cathedral, 256 East Church Street, Jacksonville. There will be a reception at the church immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jim’s name to Doctors Without Borders. (https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org)