Donald Dean Dyer, 84

Donald Dean Dyer, 84, of Naples Florida passed away on October 29, 2021.

Don was born on November 28, 1936 in Mason City, Iowa to Lawrence and Mildred Dyer. After graduating from Hampton High School in 1954 he went to work with his father and became a partner in their car dealership, Dyer Pontiac. It was there that he met his wife of 62 years, Karen Hawe.  While operating his business, he also served in the United States Army Reserve.  In 1974, he sold the dealership, moved his family to Naples, Florida and purchased Rod and Rudder Boat and Marine, operated as a family business. Don enjoyed the interaction with so many Naples residents who shared his love of boating and fishing, but most of all he loved working alongside members of his family every day.  Although he thought he was ready to retire in 1997, soon after, he returned to his passion for cars and joined the sales team at Naples Luxury Imports (formerly known as Shelton Imports).  He loved being able to share all his extensive knowledge of automobiles with the Naples community. 

Don was a dedicated husband, father, and grandfather. He loved life, his work, and most of all, he loved and cherished his family. To Karen, he was the love of her life.  To his kids, Don was an incredible Dad-- a mentor, an advisor, and a provider who equally instilled the importance of hard work.  He was astute and savvy and had a vast array of knowledge.  Through his life experiences, he loved sharing that knowledge with others; he was a great storyteller. 

He is survived by his beloved wife, Karen Dyer, four children, Clark Dyer of Naples, FL, Kori Freeman (David) of Tampa, FL, Kelly Knapke of Naples, FL, and Kristin Jarabek (Chris) of West Des Moines, IA, ten grandchildren, Alison, Nicole (Pridgeon), and Jarrod Freeman, Zoe, Adrienne, and Tate Knapke, Chelsea Dyer, and Juliette, Dyer, and Fabian Jarabek. He is also survived by one sister, Patricia St. Mary of Bonita Springs, FL.

A Visitation will take place on Wednesday, November 3, 2021 from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. at Hodges Funeral Home at Naples Memorial Gardens (525 111^th Ave. N. Naples, FL 34108) with a Funeral Mass on Thursday, November 4, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at St. William Catholic Church (601 Seagate Dr. Naples, FL 34108).