Thomas Alvin Dyson

Thomas Alvin Dyson died peacefully early the morning of November 7, 2023. It
was snowing in the Bear River Mountains of the Wasatch, something he would have
loved. All of us are deeply saddened and will miss him dearly. He left us as a husband,
father, and friend. He was an accomplished skier, cyclist, runner, hiker, outdoor
enthusiast, environmentalist, and was a patriot for our great country. He leaves behind
his wife of 64 years Helga, son Thor, daughter-in-law Julie, granddaughter Kiera, twin
grandsons Colin and Quinn, daughter Tanya Stocker, and countless friends.
Tom was born February 2, 1930 (Groundhog Day which was important to him) to
Calvin and Annie Dyson in Mexia, Texas. As one of six children, Tom had humble
beginnings during the Great Depression. Tom remembered waiting in food lines for the
family. As a youngster he worked numerous jobs to help support the family. Tom was
known as an excellent worker and student throughout the community. He excelled in
athletics but realized that education was his ticket to a long, successful, and meaningful
life. He worked in the Texas oilfields as a “roughneck” each summer and full time in a
newspaper print shop while attending college. He graduated from North Texas State
College with a degree in journalism.
After receiving his degree, Tom was drafted by the United States Army. Tom
quickly demonstrated his academic and athletic potential. He eventually rose to the rank
of Command Sergeant Major. During his twenty-three years of service, he made
hundreds of parachute jumps with Special Forces Units. He graduated from the
Defense Language Institute (Russian), Advanced Medical Corpsman School, NATO
Officers Winter Warfare School, Austrian Ski Instructors School, and the British Desert
Survival School. Tom was repeatedly selected as a special team member to train with
our allies in Europe, South America, and North Africa because of his exceptional skills,
professional knowledge, and technical competence. (While in Germany, he met his
loyal and lovely future wife Helga.) These exercises included a 2,500-mile desert patrol
in North Africa with the British Air Service, numerous military exercises in Norway and
Greece, and twice being selected a member of the US team competing in a unique
French Military Competition.
Tom Dyson served with distinction in five separate tours in Southeast Asia from
1960 to 1971. Due to his exceptional military experience and thorough understanding
of counter-insurgency operations, he was selected as an instructor for mobile training
teams to Venezuela and afterwards to Spain. In addition, Tom had a unique CIA
clearance to transport official documents across the world. After Vietnam, Tom was
assigned to the Army ROTC Detachment at Utah State University. Tom quickly
established rapport with the university staff, community of Logan, and USU students.
Tom soon developed an outstanding cross-country ski fitness program for USU and the
ROTC detachment.
Tom was the recipient of the “Silver Star” medal, one of the highest honors given
by the US military. His citation stated:

“Command Sergeant Major (then Master Sergeant) Thomas A. Dyson, United States
Army Retired, distinguished himself while engaged in military operations in Vietnam on
11 January 1969. As Team Sergeant of Team A331, 5th Special Forces Group
(Airborne), 1st Special Forces, Republic of Vietnam, Sergeant Major Dyson
demonstrated fortitude, professional skill, and determination by rendering invaluable
assistance to members of the Civilian Irregular Defense Group from Loc Ninh that were
subjected to heavy machine gun fire and mortars by hostile forces. When the
Vietnamese company commander and several soldiers were wounded, Sergeant Major
Dyson displayed complete disregard for his own personal safety and bravely exposed
himself to an intense volume of gun fire as he moved the wounded to a covered area.
Although wounded himself and despite his own wounds Sergeant Major Dyson rallied
the members of the company. Then, with sound judgement, professional competence,
and steadfast courage, he directed the company’s withdrawal to a position for helicopter
evacuation, and remained with the covering force that was the last to withdraw. His
determination, unselfish actions, and dedicated devotion to duty prevented further
losses to the Vietnamese element and led to the safe helicopter evacuation of the entire
Vietnamese force. Sergeant Major Dyson’s conspicuous gallantry and personal bravery
were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit
upon himself and the United States Army.”
Tom also received the “Purple Heart” and numerous other medals, citations, and
honors. He was offered a Command Sergeant Major position at Fort Bliss, Texas.
Instead, he chose to retire in 1976 to live in Cache Valley with his family. Tom used the
G.I. bill to further his education and received a Master of Science in political science
from USU. He then started a career in the USU Development Office in writing grant
proposals, fund raising, and assisting with USU donor investments. While working at
USU he made many special and lifelong friendships. At the Hyper building, he
exercised every day at noon inspiring his friends to do the same. Soon exercising
became training for competing in local marathons, running races, biathlons, bike races,
and ski races. His appetite for exercise at noon and close friendships was insatiable.
Tom also competed in the 206-mile Logan to Jackson (LotoJa) bicycle race. He
was one of the first competitors, competing two years after the initial race. For nineteen
continuous years he entered and finished LotoJa and won his category several times.
He also placed in the top five several other years.
Tom was an early proponent for cross-country skiing in Cache Valley. He began
exploring new areas for skiing while with the Army ROTC Detachment and his cadets.
Tom, his family, and many friends would ski areas in Green Canyon, Logan Canyon,
Dry Canyon, Providence Canyon, Blacksmith Fork Canyon, Sardine Canyon, Garden
City Canyon, the Wellsville Mountains, and all over the Bear River Mountains opening
numerous tours/routes and ski slopes to be skied over and over. Today, these locations
(Mt. Logan, Millville Peak, Mt. Naomi, Bunchgrass, Twin Creek, Mt. Gog and Magog,
Steam Mill, Double Top, Swan Flat, Beaver Creek, Tony Grove, Righthand Fork,
Temple Fork, Temple Peak) and many other areas are skied by numerous skiers every
year.
Tom also created the 15-kilometer Temple Peak Cross-Country Ski Race, Tour,
and family outing. This race was sponsored by the USU Army ROTC Department, the
USU Outdoor Recreation Center, by Marty Judd, and Marty’s Distributing. The race
was held annually for sixteen years. Hundreds of cross-country skiers raced to win or
simply just enjoy the tour with beautiful, majestic scenery from the “Sinks” to the base of
Temple Peak.
Tom loved the outdoors that Cache Valley offered. It was important for him to
share the outdoors.
As devoted as Tom was to his work, service, and sportsmanship, he placed
family above all else. He was a loving husband, a dedicated father, and a caring
grandfather.
He never liked to be called “Sir”, or “Mr.” but rather he liked to be called “Tom”,
“Dad”, or “Grandpa Tom.” We call him a hero but if he were around, he would want to
be called Tom. Rest in peace “Tom”.
A celebration of life will be held at on Father's Day (6/16/24) at Herm's in Logan (1435 Canyon Road). Please RSVP by April 30, 2024 to 775-250-8388 or dyson.thor@gmail.com .
Please bring memories, funny stories and your smiles to remember Tom. NO TIES!