John Dyson

John Patrick (Pat) Dyson was born February 19th, in Urbana, Illinois1943 and passed away July 3rd, 2025. Pat married Alice Marie Tanner after receiving his Bachelor's of Fine Art (Painting) at Eastern Illinois University. They moved to and lived for 8 years in Hawaii. Pat received a MFA at the University of Hawaii and taught there while working as a professional artist and photographer. They then moved to Kentucky for a decade where Pat received a Masters in journalism at the University of Kentucky and worked as a photo-journalist. Later they moved to Alachua, FL. Pat worked at the University of Florida medical school as a photographer and science editor. When Pat and Alice divorced Pat moved to Cedar Key. Pat also served as a bartender at the original L&M Bar on Main Street in Cedar Key, and on Sunday evenings at the Island Hotel Neptune lounge. He also held a real estate license and worked with Nature Coast Realty. Pat enjoyed several hobbies. He was a talented designer and carpenter, and also played the banjo, guitar, ukelele and trumpet. Pat also built bicycles. Pat loved living in Cedar Key for the past 35+ years and greatly enjoyed hanging out with his dear friends at Annie's, Second Street Cafe, both L&M bars, as well as other Cedar Key haunts. During his retirement he could often be found sitting at the streetside counter of the Big Deck, greeting friends passing by on Dock St. He is survived by his brothers, Steve Dyson also of Cedar Key, and Robert Dyson (Beth) of Portland, Oregon, sister Carol Dyson (Andrew Asher) of Springfield Illinois, nephews John and William Asher of Springfield, Illinois, Ryan Dyson (Yuri) and Christopher Dyson of Portland Oregon, and nieces, Lisa (Rob) Meighan and Leanna (Kevin) Hess as well as several grandnieces and great-grandnephews. Pat was preceded in death by both parents, John and Margaret Dyson of Champaign Illinois and Cedar Key, and beloved sister-in-law Teresa Dyson (Steve) of Cedar Key. There will be a Celebration of Patrick's life at the L&M bar in Cedar Key on August 2.