Longtime Green Acres pastor David Dykes has died
Published 3:30 pm Thursday, July 3, 2025
A longtime Tyler pastor has died, his church announced Thursday morning.
Retired Green Acres Baptist Church Senior Pastor David Dykes “finished his race surrounded by his family at his home in Tyler” on Wednesday.
Dykes, 72, served as senior pastor of Green Acres for 30 years until his retirement in 2021 and actively served as pastor emeritus until his passing.
“Pastor David was deeply loved by his church family and East Texas community,” Green Acres said in a statement. “His passion and dedication to teaching God’s word has impacted countless lives over the years in East Texas and around the world.
Serving as the church’s pastor since March 1991 prior to his retirement, Dykes was the longest-serving pastor and the first one to retire throughout Green Acres’ 66-year history.
Dykes began preaching in 1970 and served at three churches in Alabama before coming to Tyler. He led mission teams to over 30 countries, and he and his wife, Cindy, guided over two dozen tours to Israel.
“We cannot begin to put into words how much Pastor David will be missed. He has left a legacy for this church, this community, and beyond. We know that Jesus has said ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant’ to our beloved Pastor David.”
He graduated from Samford University, and earned a master of divinity and doctor of ministry degrees from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. In 2005, Dykes participated in post-doctoral studies at Cambridge University. He studied the subject of Biblical art from the Renaissance period. In 2017, he received an honorary doctorate from East Texas Baptist University.
Dykes authored 19 nonfiction books as well as a trilogy of action novels (under the name David Orlo). He had been part of boards of the American Red Cross, PATH, the Greater Tyler Chamber of Commerce, The Mother Frances Foundation, and Baptist Child and Family Services (Breckenridge Village). He also served on the board of trustees for East Texas Baptist University and was a trustee for LeTourneau University in Longview. He served 10 years as a member of the executive board of the Southern Baptist Convention, and he also served as a volunteer chaplain with the Smith County Sheriff’s Office.
The church asks the community for prayers and to respect the privacy of his wife Cindy and the Dykes family.
A memorial service is scheduled for 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 9 at the Green Acres Baptist Church Worship Center, 1607 Troup Hwy. in Tyler, according to Stewart Family Funeral Home.
About Santana Wood
Managing editor of the Tyler Morning Telegraph and ETX View Magazine. Alabama native and Troy University alumna who moved to East Texas in late 2020. While my main role is to lead our newsroom, I often find myself reporting on crime, business and breaking news, and I write for ETX View on a regular basis. I love what I do and strongly believe in the mission of local journalism. Story ideas, questions, etc. are always welcome at santana.wood@tylerpaper.com or 903-237-7749.
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