Father Dyke arrived in 1961, replacing Father Charles Towner as pastor. George Dyke was born in Tucson in November 1919, the son of Albert and Jesus Medina Dyke. He attended St. John Seminary in Camarillo, CA, and was ordained by Bishop Daniel Gercke of Tucson in St. Augustine Cathedral on April 6, 1946.
His first assignments were to Immaculate Conception Parish in Douglas and St. Cyril of Alexandria parish in Tucson. He served for a while as principal of Salpointe High School in Tucson. In 1953, he was named pastor at Sacred Heart Parish in Clifton, a post he held for 8 years. During this time, Fr. Dyke also earned a master’s degree in education through Catholic University in Washington, D. C.
It was during his time at our parish that Vatican II was held, and changes mandated by the Council began to be implemented. Also during his time with us, a Catholic kindergarten was begun. Following his tenure at our parish in 1965, Fr. Dyke left the priesthood. He was officially dispensed from his priestly vocation in 1968. He married Dora Meza, and had two sons, William and Richard. George Dyke passed away shortly after Christmas in 1971, at the age o f 52.
