Darryl Dyess

My dad was the epitome of a “cool dude”. Open-minded and non-judgmental, he had a heart of gold and a talent for understanding people. At the young age of 24, he worked tirelessly to build his business, Liquor Mart, from the ground up. His passion was his business, a legacy that will continue to thrive through the hard work of those he deeply inspired. He was a quiet pilar of strength, kind and compassionate under a serious demeanor. He had a witty and shocking sense of humor, always tinged with a bit of truth. As a father, he shared a profound bond and true friendship with his kids. Deep conversations with my dad have been the norm for me since I was a kid. Due to his high emotional intelligence and accepting nature, he collected a wide group of eclectic friends. He welcomed people from all walks of life, a true friend and champion of the underdog . Not only will his family miss him, but his many friends and loyal customers will miss the deep conversations and understanding that you can only get from Darryl Dyess.

Here’s a few neat facts about my dad: when he was a teenager, he could skateboard off the roof of the house, jump over cars, and literally do a handstand on his skateboard while barreling down a hill. He was athletic, and excelled at sports as a kid. He was a tech junkie like his father, and attended TSTC in Waco for radio repair. He always had the newest version of whatever cool technology came out. He loved sunflower seeds, bean dip, and dr. Pepper. He cooked amazing ribs on his BBQ pit and took great pleasure in feeding his family. Growing up, I’d have his steak smothered in sautéed mushrooms every other night. He always brought me a candy bar from his store when he arrived home, at 9:20 pm on the dot. If I had friends over, he brought them a snickers as well. He loved making people happy and feel welcomed. He had a special bond with his family and a deep soft spot for his parents and brothers. He was reliable, and visited his mom every Sunday and talked to his brother, Harlan, and his best friend and brother-in-law, Rodney, on the phone every single night. I will miss the random texts from my dad. The jokes, the hours of conversation. The way he calmed me as a teen and young adult when my emotions were raging and I felt so alone. During the last 3 years of his life, he found a new purpose and passion in his grand baby, Eliza. He was the best PawPaw. In his last month, he bought her a swing set and they played in the clubhouse every time they were together. They told stories, pretended snakes were out to get them, and made jokes. Eliza already has his hilarious sense of humor. He loved making fun of life, making light out of the boring and mundane. He was mine and many other’s guide on this Earth, a true angel incarnate. He will be missed profoundly.
In my dad’s memory, let us seek to understand and counsel each other. When the going gets tough, let us use the power of love and kindness to lift each other out of darkness . Let us be kind and thoughtful with our words, and consistent in our actions. Let us stand up for the vulnerable, without hesitation. If we all work to be a little more open-minded and accepting, the spirit of Darryl Dyess will live on through all of us. Now, grab a beer, turn up the music, and rock on. Until we meet again, Dad. I won’t let you down. Love you,

Jennifer Dyess