Dr. Jack L. Dyer
November 25, 1937 - April 03, 2021
Dr. Jack L. Dyer, born Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 1937, in Spencer, Indiana, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, April 3, 2021, at the Compassionate Care Center.
He was married to Jerrilyn Ann Coffey Dyer on October 9, 1960. They were blessed with two children: Son John (Cindy) Dyer of Bristol, TN; and Daughter Jodee Dyer (Brandon) Slone of Shelbyville, KY. He is also survived by four grandchildren: Lisa (Tim) Meinsen, Arie (Lee Ann) Slone, Joshua (Morgan) Slone, and Rachel Ann Dyer; and four great grandchildren: Brandon, Emma, Slone, and Kinsley Ann.
He was a veteran, having served four years in the United States Navy.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Geraldine Lawson Dyer; and three brothers and one sister.
As both a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Government Financial Manager (CFM), he taught accounting at DePaul University and also at Kentucky Christian College, where he was recruited to establish the business administration curriculum, yielding a successful SACS accreditation. His longest tenure was at Eastern Kentucky University where he also served as the Director of the MBA Program. He had numerous articles published in professional journals, and he was recognized for his excellence in teaching by his peers, students, and alumni.
Upon his retirement from EKU in 2002, he and his family established the coveted “Dr. Jack L. Dyer Excellence in Teaching Award,” awarded annually to a business faculty member who upholds the high professional standards so important to him. His passion for teaching and for EKU was reflected in his frequent saying, “We change lives for the better.”
In addition to teaching awards, he received honors and awards for service to his profession, including the 2001 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Association of Government Accounting (AGA), the 1998 AGA National President’s Award; Outstanding Accounting Educator, by the KY Society of CPAs; Member of the Year, Central KY Chapter of AGA; and the KY Society of CPAs’ award as Outstanding Continuing Professional Education Seminar Leader.
A 1955 graduate of Spencer High School, Jack earned his undergraduate and master’s degrees at Indiana State University and his doctorate in accounting from the University of Kentucky.
As an accounting professional, he served a four-year term as the Assistant State Auditor of Kentucky. As an academician, he was a member of numerous professional organizations and boards, having chaired the Government Accountants Journal Editorial Board.
He worked in public accounting in Terre Haute, Indiana, prior to starting his teaching career. He continued throughout his career as an accountant and financial consultant for numerous business organizations, especially Southland Manufacturing Co., Lexington, KY. After retiring from EKU, he served part-time for the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training, working on grants and special projects.
His commitment to community service included serving on the Board of Project Read of Madison County and Home Meals Delivery. He also served as a past Board member and accounting consultant for the Kentucky Law Enforcement Memorial Foundation, supporting fallen police officers’ families.
He held multiple leadership roles and volunteered in Christian service. He and his devoted wife Jerrilyn have been active Christian servants in each community in which they have lived—from children’s ministry to adults. As members of the First Baptist Church, Richmond, Kentucky, they have faithfully supported the ministry of the Church, serving with the Senior Adults.
A funeral service for Dr. Jack Dyer will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, April 9, 2021 at the First Baptist Church in Richmond with Bro. Bill Wright officiating. Burial will follow in the Richmond Cemetery. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service Friday at the church.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Dr. Jack L. Dyer Excellence in Teaching Award Scholarship Fund (c/o Eastern KY University Development Office) or the Southland Manufacturing Co. Scholarship for Business Administration majors (c/o Kentucky Christian University, Grayson, KY 41143).