John M. “J.M.” Dickson

John M. “J.M.” Dickson, Sr., age 97, passed away on January 25, 2021, in Memphis, from complications following COVID. He spent his life loving the Lord and his family and setting an example of what a good man should be. A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. on Jan. 30 at Rowe Cemetery in Hedley.

J.M. was born on Dec. 15, 1923, at the Dickson family farm near Hedley. He was the only son and youngest of six children born to his parents, John Green Dickson and Mollie Dukes Dickson.

He married his high school sweetheart, Ida Lou Johnson, on Dec. 7, 1941, as Pearl Harbor was bombed and enlisted in the U.S. Navy shortly thereafter, serving throughout WWII aboard the USS Tennessee (BB-43). After the war, he returned to Hedley where he worked at farming, General Telephone Co., and later moved to Panhandle, where he retired from Pantex. When his wife Ida Lou died after 61 years of marriage, he relocated to Turkey.

He was a member of the Methodist Church and a past master in the Masonic Lodge where he earned his 32nd degree. He enjoyed entertaining others and played his bass guitar and harmonica with the Good Timers band (Panhandle) and Turkey Gems, providing music for thousands of friends throughout the area.

While he loved God, his family, and his country, he also loved to travel, tend the garden, and eat sweets of all types, especially homemade ice cream. Until his health diminished, he faithfully attended Navy reunions and shared stories with anyone who would take time to listen. He never met a stranger and was kind and accepting of all.

The family extends thanks to Marie Cruse, a special friend to J.M. while he lived in Turkey. They studied the Bible together, and she read the scriptures to him for many years after he lost his eyesight.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Ida Lou, five sisters, and his sons, J.M. “John” Dickson, Jr., and Richard.
He is survived by his daughter Linda Dickson Phelan, daughter-in-law Eunice Dickson, seven grandchildren [Donna Dickson Ashley, Brent Dickson (Christine), Leah Dickson Tippin (Larry), Tamara Dickson Burrell (Jeremy), Cory Cooper (Teresa), Kendra Cooper Araiza (Efren), and Carl Cooper], 13 great grandchildren, and one great great grandchild. J.M. was also beloved by his nieces and nephews: Peggy Struble, Dixie Gartrell, Nancy Harris Henderson, Jack Quisenberry, and Tony Mikesell.

Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon is handling arrangements, and the family suggests memorials to Rowe Cemetery (Hedley) or Kindred Hospice (Amarillo). The family hopes to hold a memorial service at Hedley’s Methodist Church later this year.

Sign the online guestbook at www.robertsonfuneral.com