David James Dykes, 56, of Ivoryton, died peacefully on Feb. 1, surrounded by the beauty of nature he so cherished.   He was born on June 1, 1954 in Middletown, the youngest son of the late Edward Dykes, Sr. and Gladys (“Muriel”) Comstock (Church) Dykes.  David grew up in Clinton and graduated from Morgan School in 1973.  An avid birder, he was never without his field glasses and journal, where he painstakingly recorded the sightings and activities of Connecticut wildlife, birds in particular.  He knew all their songs, their habits, and their habitat.  Each morning David would enjoy coffee on his porch, feeding peanuts to his tamed “Rockies” with his gentle hand, accompanied by birds swooping to and from well-tended feeders he had created with those hands.

A machinist by trade, in recent years David had worked assisting others as handyman, groundskeeper, and friend.  He was a member of the John Sobieski III Club in Deep River and was an honorary founding and active member of the Taggart Pipes and Drum Corps, a bagpipe and drum corps founded in 1990.  An integral part of the corps, David was always the man behind the curtain, setting up and breaking down for musters.  Last year was the first time David marched with Taggart’s, wearing a kilt and no shoes in every parade, proudly carrying the American or the POW/MIA flag.  

He is survived by his daughter Jessica; two brothers, Edward, Jr. of Norwich and James Everett of Middletown; and two sisters, Linda DeRusha of Old Saybrook and Sheila Wilson of Bath, New York.  He is also survived by many nieces and nephews and by countless friends, who were his “second family.”  He was predeceased by his brother John of Texas.  

A memorial service to celebrate David’s all-too-short life will be held on Sunday, March 6, at 3 p.m., at the Sobieski Club.  In lieu of flowers, donations of bird food may be dropped off at the Blake House, where he lived.  Those so inclined may wish to plant a tree or shrub to carry on the nurturing of David’s beloved wildlife   Contributions in his memory may also be made to the John Sobieski III Club, 10 Woodland Rd., Deep River, CT  06417, and/or to the Taggart Pipes and Drum Corps, 12 Fox Run Rd., Deep River, CT  06417. The Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home, Centerbrook, is in charge of arrangements.