CLAUDINE BERTHA JACOBY DYER of Grand
Junction, CO, passed from this Earth to Heaven on
Jan. 6, 2005. In Claudine's words, "My wings have
dropped down." We are all richer for having shared
the light that was Claudine's life on Earth.
Claudine was born Sep. 17, 1919 in Hext, TX, to
Max & May Jacoby. Claudine spent her childhood in
Ranger, TX, and attended Ranger High School in the
Class of 1937 at Ranger, TX. She was a resident
of Grand Junction, CO since 1953. Internment was
at Orchard Mesa Cemetery in Grand Junction.
Claudine married Clarles H. Dyer in Aug. of 1937. He
died on Feb. 7, 1991 in Grand Junction, after more
than 53 years of marriage. The Dyers owned & operated
Tri-State Tool Company, a large mining equipment supply
& maintenance company until 1980, where Claudine served
as bookkeeper and office manager.
Claudine was a member of Redlands Community Church, and
Sunshine Order of the Eastern Star Number 53. Her hobbies
included oil painting, & needle-crafts including crocheting,
knitting, needlepoint and sewing. Friends and family hold
cherished afghans, sweaters and works of art designed and
crafted by Claudine's talented and gifted hands. Claudine
was a loving caregiver to the sick and frail. Devotion to
her family was unfailing, her love boundless, and her
strength unshakable.
Claudine was preceded in death by her parents and her husband,
Charles, one brother, Douglas Jacoby (RHS-1949), two sisters,
Clara Mae Watson (RHS-1952), Maxine Asher (RHS-1942), her
mother-in-law, a sister-in-law, and several brothers-in-law,
who she tended while they were ill. Her loving daughter,
Patsy Wubben (John) of Astoria, Oregon; and two loving sons,
Mike Dyer and Rick Dyer (Mona) of Grand Junction survive
Claudine. She also leaves behind five adoring grand-children,
which includes Andrea Long of Astoria, OR; Damon Wubben of
Los Angeles; Scott Burns of Paonia; and Kyndall and Brandon
Dyer of Grand Junction. Four great-grandsons also blessed
Claudine's life. They are John Wubben, along with Joshua,
David and Jesse Burns. Caudine's final years were enriched
through the love and companionship of Walter "Buddy" Plank
of Grand Junction. Claudine also leaves behind a bereaved
sister and brother, LaVerne Jacoby (RHS-1940) & Mellenger Max
Jacoby (RHS-1936), both of Texas; brother-in-law, Ken Dyer
(Joyce) of Grand Junction, as well as numerous nieces and
nephews, and countless friends across the country.
SON: MICHAEL DAVID "MIKE" DYER, 85, passed away
on April 3, 2012, after battling COPD.
He was 68. Mike was born in Ranger, TX on Nov. 8, 1943,
to Charles & Claudine (Jacoby) Dyer. He grew up in
Grand Junction and graduated from Grand Junction High
School. After high school he married & later divorced
Kennita Barrett. They had a son, Scott Burns of Paonia.
Mike was especially proud of his work in the mining
industry and of his son, Scott, who continues to work in
the mining industry as well. He enjoyed following his
grandsons athletics and other activities. Grandpa Mike
never missed a birthday and will be missed by his three
grandsons, Josh, age 21 who attends the University of
Northern Colorado; David, age 17, and Jesse, age 11, who
attend school in Paonia. His hobbies included photography
and restoring old trunks. In his younger years he also
enjoyed scuba diving. He was a Camaro enthusiast and when
he worked for GM he got one off-the-line in the early 60's.
In 2010 his love still continued for the Chevy muscle car
and he had to have one.
Mike is survived by his son, Scott and wife, Kitty of
Paonia; his sister, Patsy and husband, John Wubben of
Astoria, Oregon, & brother, Rick and wife, Mona of Grand
Junction & their families. Mike also leaves behind Ruth
Reed a longtime friend and companion of Grand Junction.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
DAUGHTER: PATSY YVONNE DYER WUBBER, 85, died
on Aug. 26, 2023.
Recently, a fascinating, amazing and inspirational woman
has passed away, leaving a profound emotional vacuum for
so many. Patsy left us in Astoria. As that reality sinks
in, it is also a chance to find inspiration and strength.
Most people live the obvious existence, but Patsy lived
what is beyond that imaginary boundary.
She was born on July 16, 1938 in Ranger, TX, as a sassy,
scrappy kid. Patsy grew up on the family farm with her
grandmother. Learning from the examples of her grandmother
and aunts’ sewing, painting and ceramics, she developed
a great appreciation for the natural world and the arts.
She then moved to be with her father in his work in the
oil fields.
Her story in creating the family began with a beautiful
high school romance. Patsy decided to show up at a local
shoe store at the 8:30 a.m. opening time so she could buy
a pair of shoelaces from John Wubben, who was working there
part time. The stealthy seduction was successful, and it
was love.
From this adorable beginning, the couple leapt together
into the world, fearless to take on any challenge while
making their way and, in the early days, there were many.
Two children later, they created an amazing home near
Carbondale, CO, from grit and creativity that so many
adored. They generated friendships that endured for many
years.
Here, Patsy worked with a diverse group, fostering the
arts and community activism. She painted, wrote a column
in a local magazine, worked as an election judge and
joined forces with a local group to successfully petition
the county for a beautification project. (To be clear,
she demanded a newly installed irrigation pipe to be
painted to match the surrounding soil.)
Patsy always believed in the value of education, and
volunteered her time to lead scout troops, 4-H clubs
and guest art sessions at the local middle school.
After reaching Astoria, her creative efforts exploded
in all directions. From being represented by fine art
galleries, to poetry and writing a book with her husband
about women in the Pacific Northwest fishing industry —
this latter work of personal passion was one of many for
the amazing couple.
Her beautiful artwork adorns the walls of many people
in Astoria. A true inspiration for all.
Her kindness and connection to animals was beautiful.
She would often reminisce about her childhood on the
farm, surrounded and loved by every animal one could
imagine — from her ornery horse named Booger, to the
dogs, chickens, goats and a menagerie of others.
Her final furry love is Katie, an incredibly sweet,
somewhat crazy and energetic labradoodle who bounds
around the house now with ears flapping, a giant happy
grin and waiting for the moment when mom will come home.
When you think about the legacy of a person’s life, it’s
often about the effect they have on others. Patsy was a
shining light that made everyone in the room feel happy
to be alive. She celebrated the successes and consoled
the failures.
In her final days and months, she was beloved by the
medical staff, and for good reason. We were in the the
presence of an incredible woman, who was cherished by
anyone who was privileged to know her.
She is survived by John, her husband of 68 years; her
daughter, Andrea (Bret) of Astoria; her son, Damon, of
McMinnville; and her brother, Rick Dyer (Mona), of
Grand Junction, CO.