Gerald Christy Dyche (a.k.a Jerry Dycke), 88, passed away peacefully on the morning of October 11th, 2024, after a short illness. His Fiancé, Katherine LeBlanc, was at his side.
Jerry was born on April 19, 1936 in Auburn, Kansas, the son of wonderful parents, Arthur and Lulu (Dickson) Dyche. Jerry began singing, and playing guitar and piano, at an early age. His Mother (Lulu) was his biggest fan. Jerry was also an excellent athlete however it was clear that music was his calling.
Jerry’s beautiful and expressive voice, amazing keyboard prowess, and overall mastery of music allowed him to excel as a solo artist, and in collaboration with many others (including time at Graceland). Jerry enjoyed catering to any audience, by performing any style of music (country, rock, blues, gospel, ballroom). Jerry was caring and known for his sense of humor which added even more to his popularity. He was loved and a joy to be with by all! In a world where so much music is computer generated, and impersonal, we will miss Jerry so very much!
While in high school, Jerry sang at various functions including a bi-monthly radio show on WREN in Topeka, KS, and several appearances on the “Brush Creek Follies” TV show in Kansas City, MO. During his senior year of high school, Jerry appeared on the “Don McNeil Breakfast Club” in Chicago, after winning the Kansas 4-H State Talent Show, twice (1953, 1954). Jerry graduated from the College of Emporia in 1960, with a degree in biology, and worked for 5 years with the Social Security Administration in Topeka. Jerry was also in the Naval Reserves.
Jerry recorded his first single (45 RPM record) while in college in 1957, with “Deep Within My Heart” on one side and “My Empty Heart” on the other, for the independent label, Casino, produced by WREN disc jockey Bob Bobo. Following college, Jerry signed and recorded with Nugget Records, near Nashville, TN, owned by Lonzo & Oscar, of Grand Old Opry fame.
During a 1966 trip to Memphis, Jerry met well known pioneer disc jockey, Dotty Abbott (a.k.a. Dolly Holiday), giving her a demo disc that he recorded with his Topeka band. Dolly passed the disc on to legendary record producer, Sam Phillips of Sun Records (also known for discovering and recording Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Charley Rich, and Roy Orbison).
Sam signed Jerry to a 5-year contract, recording several hits that provided Jerry with national attention, including Billboard Chart recordings “Things” and “Will The Circle Be Unbroken”. Jerry’s recording “School Children” was the opening theme song for an NBC Special in 1971.
As a result, Jerry performed at night clubs and venues throughout the U.S., covering a dozen States, including runs at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas (1969 - 1971) along with Dottie West & George Hamilton IV, the Playboy Club in Kansas City, many Holiday Inn and Ramada Inn engagements, before settling in Ft Myers, FL in 1975.
In 1975, Jerry met Nashville producer Ed Penney, who produced Jerry’s songs, “Daddy Played Harmonica” and “Beethoven Was Before My Time” – both records, written and performed by Jerry, made the Billboard Charts (1980, 1981). Several records followed including, “Pretty Woman”, “There’s Nobody Home On The Range Anymore”, and “I Never Said Goodbye” (the latter on MCA Churchill Records).
While in Fort Myers, FL, Jerry performed at “The Hut” in Buckingham, FL (6 nights a week, 1984 - 1999). Although “retired”, Jerry was in high demand, as he continued performing at the Elks Lodges (Fort Myers, Cape Coral, and Bonita Springs, FL), country clubs, and was requested regularly to perform at many dance venues and events (public and private), up until his passing.
Jerry was inducted into the Florida Country Music Association (CMA), Hall of Fame, in 1994. He was awarded Entertainer Of The Year, twice (1985, 1986), Male Vocalist Of The Year (1984), Songwriter Of The Year, 3 years in a row (1985, 1986, 1987), and won Duo Of The Year twice (1981, 1985). Jerry won the Record Of The Year award 5 times, including 3 years in a row (1981, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1989). Jerry appeared on TNN’s (The Nashville Network) program “You Can Be A Star” in 1986 and won.
In 1986, Jerry co-wrote and recorded "Starship Fly On", the Challenger tribute which was a Top 10 record on the National Independent Charts. "Starship Fly On" was chosen by the U.S. Space Foundation as the official song of the Challenger 7 Fund. Jerry received a letter of commendation from President Ronald Reagan. A video of the song appeared numerous times on television (ABC Morning News, CBS News, Westinghouse Broadcasting), and was later published (viral) on YouTube. Jerry performed "Starship Fly On" at the one-year memorial service for the Challenger crew in Colorado Springs in 1987.
Jerry co-wrote and performed the song, "Come In Mr. Lonely", for the 2017 movie, "A Crooked Somebody". The song was also used in the Netflix series, “The Umbrella Academy” (S3 E8, 2022) and sang by Jerry in the Joe Pickett series (2021-2023). In 2023, Jerry received an award from Spotify for surpassing One Million streams of “Come In Mr. Lonely”. Several of Jerry’s recordings made the National Charts, and many can be found today on online music services, and in YouTube performances.
An avid golfer, Jerry won his flight in several local tournaments and was most proud of shooting his age, at 72, at the Westminster Country Club in Lehigh Acres, FL.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, his two siblings, Mary (Dyche) Haller and Lewis Dyche, his son James Dyche (2015), ex-wife Elena (2021), and wife Brenda (2023).
In addition to his Fiancé, Katherine LeBlanc of Cape Coral, FL, Jerry is survived by his daughter, Tara Wastler, of Bucyrus, Kansas. He is survived by 3 grandsons, Christopher Dyche (Massena, NY), Brandon Dyche (Morrow, OH), and Robert Dyche (Morrow, OH), along with nephew Dennis Garrett (Kansas), and great-niece Debbie (Dyche) Colfax. Jerry is also survived by numerous fans and extended family.
Jerry’s ashes will be interred in Auburn, Kansas near family. A “Celebration Of Life” is being planned.
