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Frank Van Dyke
Biographical Sketch On The Life Of Frank Van Dyke Frank Van Dyke was born to Mr. and Mrs. Willie Homer Van Dyke October 27, 1914, at Cairo, near Alamo, Tennessee He attended the public schools of Crockett County, graduating from the Bells High School as Salutatorian in 1933. He graduated from Freed-Hardeman College as Valedictorian of the class of 1937. He attended Union University at Jackson, Tennessee, for one year and received the B.A. degree from Wabash College, Crawfordsville, Indiana, in 1938, graduating Cum Laude. While attending Freed-Hardeman College, Van Dyke was president of his class both years and a member of the debating team both years. He, likewise, was a member of the debating team at Wabash, being selected at the close of the year as an honorary member of All-College Debate Squad and received a cash award. He was elected to membership in Tau Kappa Alpha, a national honorary forensic society. He received a certificate in Practical Business Administration from the American Technical Society, Chicago, Illinois. He attended Abilene Christian College and received the M.A. Degree. He was given the opportunity to conduct the Baccalaureate Service at his graduation, an honor that had never been given to a student. On April 21, 1940, he married Miss Julia White. To this union, two boys were born, Willie Frank Van Dyke and Richard Ervin Van Dyke. Van Dyke was one of the outstanding preachers of his day. He began preaching at the age of 15. His first sermon was preached at the Normal Church of Christ in Memphis, Tennessee. He did local work with churches in Humboldt, Tennessee; Crawfordsville, Indiana; Haleyville, Alabama; Jacksonville, Tennessee; and Albuquerque, New Mexico. He held gospel meetings in Alabama, California, Colorado, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. While at Freed-Hardeman College, Van Dyke chaired the Bible Department from 1950-1962. During this time, he wielded a tremendous influence for good and instruction for a practical and wide knowledge of the Bible to prepare these young men to preach the gospel as they went out into various areas as servants of Christ. Van Dyke died September 22, 1963, at Henderson, Tennessee. He was survived by his wife, Julia; two sons, Willie Frank and Richard Ervin; and by two sisters, Mrs. Mary Lou Welch and Mrs. Melba Miller, both of whom reside in Memphis, Tennessee. Funeral service was under the direction of Casey Funeral Home in the Church of Christ in Henderson. H. A. Dixon, President of Freed-Hardeman College, preached the funeral sermon. Van Dyke's body was laid to rest in Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Henderson. The Lord will continue to bless many lives through the influence of this great, good and godly man. --From In Memoriam, by Gussie Lambert, Shreveport, LA, pages 274,275
Frank Van Dyke Frank Van Dyke was born on October 27, 1914, at Cairo, near Alamo, Tennessee. Having reached the age of forty-eight, he died in the Western State Hospital (Bolivar) on September 22, 1963. He was baptized by T. G. Curd around 1928.He was married to Julia Myrtle White on March 21,1940. Two sons were born to this union. Willie Frank is vice president of an insurance and financial agency in Dallas. His wife is Nancy Cole; their two daughters are Alison and Andrea. Richard is the assistant minister of the Franklin, KY, church of Christ. His wife is Nanette Powell; their children are Stephanie and Frank Powell. Both his brother, Joe Cooke Van Dyke. Sr., and his nephew, Joe Cooke Van Dyke, Jr., have served as effective ministers among churches of Christ. Brother Van Dyke spent several years in preparation for his work. He attended Freed-Hardeman College, Union University, Wabash College (BA), and Abilene Christian College (MA). His thesis at Abilene was A Critical Analysis of the Mystery Revealed to Paul. His fellow classmates at Abilene asked him to give the graduation address. He served as the local minister of several congregations. These included the Normal congregation in Memphis; Humboldt, TN; Crawfordsville. IN; Haleyville, AL; Highland in Jackson, TN; and Albuquerque. NM. His gospel meeting engagements took him over many miles. These included the following: Madison, WI: Flint, MI; Parkersburg, WVA; Roanoke, VA; St. Louis, MO; Owensboro, KY; Cleburne and Ft. Worth, TX; Drew and Ripley, MS; Bessemer and Mobile, AL; and Bethany, Memphis, and Union City, TN. His writing has served the brotherhood well. From October 18, 1945, to August 29, 1946, he wrote a series of three articles on the signs of Mark 16. These were published in the Gospel Advocate. He also wrote articles which ranged from "The Bible in Christian Education" to "Contrasts Between Christianity and the Cults." Books which he penned were Studies in Hebrews and Is Instrumental Music Scriptural? E. Claude Gardner edited the book entitled Frank Van Dyke's Sermons. Frank Van Dyke will long be remembered for writing the words for the FHC college song. Kelley B. Doyle wrote the music. To Thee, Our F-H C To thee our dearest F. H. C. we pledge our loyalty.Thou art a blessing to our lives; a debt we owe to thee. With
fond and cheerful memories, of happy college days, To thee our youthful lives we bring, for guidance, help and
care. -Dowell Flatt, 1991 Freed-Hardeman Lectures, pages 118,119
Directions To The Grave Frank Van Dyke was buried in the Chester Co. Memory Gardens Cemetery in Henderson, Tennessee. The cemetery is located on Hwy 45 south of Henderson about 2 miles. Enter the cemetery to the west and as you enter the cemetery, the grave is in the first section on the left hand side of the drive. This is still a reasonably new cemetery, but at the time I was there the grave was located six rows back from the highway and three sections in from the drive. GPS Coordinates
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