Joe Patrick Van Dyke

Joe Patrick “PJ” Van Dyke, 76, took his own life on June 22, 2025, in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Born to Walter Goble Van Dyke and Novis Kay Pruitt Van Dyke in Clovis, New Mexico on February 28, 1949.

He was the baby of the family, sharing his childhood with his two sisters Rosalind and Vanette. His family moved from Melrose, NM to Oregon and then back to New Mexico, landing in Hot Springs, NM, now known as Truth or Consequences. He was a star basketball player for Hot Springs High School and then enlisted in the United States Navy and served a short period during the Vietnam War. He enjoyed reliving and remembering his glory days from the 1950’s and 60’s.

PJ worked with the Las Cruces Cable Company and later with the City of Las Cruces Meter Department. Outside of work, he was known for his love of motorcycles, riding with groups such as the Las Cruces Knee Draggers and the Mesilla Valley Roadriders. He was also an avid enthusiast of shooting sports and firearm collecting.

As a person, father and husband, he wanted to share his hobbies with his family. They spent many weekends and holidays traveling by motorcycle to rallies, races and general Sunday morning rides.

PJ is survived by his wife, Brenda K. Walker Van Dyke; daughter Terra V. Winter and her husband Erik; granddaughters Grace M. Winter and Harper K. Winter; sister Rosalind Hilburn and her family Chris Hilburn, Alicia and Ross Briggs, and daughter Aubrey Briggs, Kevin and Kim Hilburn and daughter Reilly Hilburn; sister Vanette Pyle and her family John Corley, Bryce Corley, Jolene Corley, and Janie Janette Gonzalez and their families. There are also dozens of Walker family members that survive PJ who will continue to support Brenda with grace and love.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Novis Van Dyke, and his in-laws, Earl and Billie Walker.

A wake will be held at Blue Moon Bar & Grill on July 18th at 6:00pm featuring a short speech, memorial table, country music, and dancing in PJ’s honor. A family graveside service will take place in Melrose, NM this October where he will be laid with his mother. The rest of his ashes will be spread in Emory Pass where he loved to go fast and enjoy the feel of his knee on pavement.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Southern New Mexico First Responders Fund at the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico –

https://cfsnm.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=5521

This is in support of the Las Cruces Police Department, Fire Department, and Medically Integrated Health Team who truly helped keep him and his wife stay safe the past six years. We cannot understand the struggles one man went through, but maybe we can help others.