Gary "VD" VanDyke

Gary “VD” VanDyke, Jr., 69, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, August 16, 2025. A Celebration of Life will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, August 22, 2025, at The Legacy Center at Murdoch-Linwood in Cedar Rapids, with military honors beginning at 4 p.m.

Gary was born on February 24, 1956, in Cedar Rapids to Ruth (Smith) and Gerald VanDyke, Sr. After leaving high school, he joined the United States Marines and served in Guam during the Vietnam War. On June 6, 1975, he married Mary Ann Cepeda in Guam. Over the years, Gary worked at Van Dyke Salvage Yard, F&W Mack Truck, GSTC (part-time), Bauer Built Tire & Service, and most recently at Anchor Frame & Axle Inc., where he remained until his retirement in 2023. He was active with the OMRA Bonneville Land Speed Racing Team and VD Drag Racing. Gary also enjoyed building motorcycles and often helped others with their bikes.

Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Mary Ann VanDyke of Cedar Rapids; son, Bill (Dana) VanDyke of Green Bay, Wisconsin; daughter, Angela (Tyler) Smith of Cedar Rapids; grandchild, Parker (Emilie) Pierson of Vinton, Iowa; three great-grandchildren, Adi, Parker Jr., and Liam; sister, Terryl (Ron) David of North Liberty, Iowa; nephew, Scott (Dana) David of North Liberty; grandniece, Rachel David; and great-grandnephew, Grayson David-Martin; his racing team, Terry Groom, George Freese, and Geno Luth; and adopted son from another mother, Jerome Watkins.

He was preceded in death by his parents.