James West Dyer, age 81, passed away in home hospice care with his wife at his side on March 2, 2025 after a struggle with cancer.  He will be mourned by his wife Janel, his children: Jamie (Nick) Waggoner, Shauna (Brian) Luse, Kim (Dan) Drage, and Matt (Holly) Dyer; his brothers Charles (Marilyn) Dyer and Richard (Julie) Dyer; 20 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren, stepchildren, nieces, in-laws, and their families.

James was born to Arnold and Charlotte (nee West) Dyer in Buckner, Missouri where his childhood was abundant with loving family, playmates, horses, bicycles for paper routes, Boy Scouts, baseball, basketball, plus track and football in high school, cars and girls. He earned his BS in Forestry from Missouri University in 1965, then served his country in Okinawa during the Vietnam era as a captain in the US Army.

Jim was especially proud of his four children and their remarkable accomplishments. Great happiness came from knowing his many grandchildren, extraordinary, every one.

Jim's forestry career took him to the Northwest, and he witnessed consolidating changes during his four decades in the timber industry. He retired from Weyerhaeuser in 2007. Oregon was home; his four children were raised there, and he usually made room for horses too. He liked to say he got his first pony when he was only two, and over the years he has owned many prized steeds. As part of the mounted posse of Lane County Oregon, Jim performed search-and-rescue missions as well as community service activities.

Jim's gift with horses was amazing. He especially liked sharing his knowledge as a volunteer at the local horse rescue operation while snowbirding in Arizona. Some called him a "horse whisperer," but his brother would tell you that made him blush. For the last 13 years his horse, Traveler, helped him bring a bit of cowboy to his home in the town of Collinsville, Illinois.

Jimmy liked nothing better than a funny story or a good joke. He loved making people laugh. You are invited to share a memory of him that reflects his positive, optimistic, humorous outlook, which he had up through his last day of life. If you so choose, a contribution to a horse-therapy organization in your local area would be an appropriate honor for Jim

A simple graveside service will be held for family and friends at Buckner Hill Cemetery in Buckner, Missouri, at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 17, 2025.

There will be lunch immediately following at the Buckner Community of Christ Church located across from Buckner Hill Cemetery.

The family is being served by HERR Funeral Home, 501 West Main Street, Collinsville, Illinois  62234.