SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 54
 
 
  In Memory
  of
  David Dykes
 
         WHEREAS, A life made rich through meaningful service drew
  to a close with the passing of Pastor David Orlo Dykes of Tyler on
  July 2, 2025, at the age of 72; and
 
         WHEREAS, David Dykes was born in Ruston, Louisiana, on
  January 16, 1953, and he grew up in southern Alabama; he devoted
  himself to his Christian faith at an early age and began
  preaching in 1970 at the age of 17; he attended Samford
  University before earning a master's degree in divinity and a
  doctorate of ministry from The Southern Baptist Theological
  Seminary, and he later completed a postdoctoral study at the
  University of Cambridge; and
 
         WHEREAS, Pastor Dykes shared a fulfilling 51-year union
  with his wife, Cindy; he took great pride in his two daughters,
  Jennifer and Laura Grace, and with the passing years, he had the
  pleasure of seeing his treasured family grow to include five
  grandchildren; and
 
         WHEREAS, Throughout his early career, Pastor Dykes served
  as senior pastor of three Alabama churches, Tallaweka Baptist
  Church, First Baptist Church Oneonta, and Gardendale First
  Baptist Church; in 1991, he was named senior pastor of Green
  Acres Baptist Church in Tyler, and over the course of his
  distinguished three-decade tenure, membership grew from 9,000 to
  17,000; along the way, he led mission teams to more than 30
  countries, trained pastors around the world, and published over
  20 books; after retiring from Green Acres Baptist Church in 2021,
  he served the congregation as pastor emeritus; and
 
         WHEREAS, In recognition of his many commendable efforts,
  Pastor Dykes was awarded the M. E. Dodd Denominational Service
  Award by the Southern Baptist Convention in 2008, the Alumnus of
  the Year Award by The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in
  2021, and the inaugural David Dykes Servant Leadership Award by
  East Texas Baptist University in 2024, and he received an honorary
  doctorate from East Texas Baptist University; in his leisure hours,
  he enjoyed playing golf and traveling the world, and he led more
  than two dozen tours through Israel with his wife; and
 
         WHEREAS, Deeply dedicated to his family, his faith, and his
  community, David Dykes earned the lasting respect and admiration
  of all who were privileged to know him; now, therefore, be it
 
         RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 89th
  Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life
  of Pastor David Orlo Dykes and extend sincere condolences to the
  members of his family: to his wife, Cindy Dykes; to his
  daughters, Jennifer Holman and Laura Grace Dykes; to his
  sons-in-law, Jason Holman and Joseph Provencher; to his
  grandchildren, Lizzie, Caroline, and Grant Holman, Ada Liner,
  and Samuel Provencher; to his siblings, Judy Kapa and Daniel
  Dykes; and to his other relatives and friends; and, be it further
 
         RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be
  prepared for his family and that when the Texas Senate adjourns
  this day, it do so in memory of David Dykes.
 
  Hughes
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        President of the Senate
     
        I hereby certify that the
    above Resolution was adopted by
    the Senate on August 15, 2025, by
    a rising vote.
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        Secretary of the Senate
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
         Member, Texas Senate