Donald Dickinson

Donald Warner Dickinson, 85, went peacefully to the Light on April 13. Don, also lovingly called Daddy Don, was known in barbecue circles as a pit master in his hometown of Fort Worth, Texas. He learned his craft while working at Jettons, traveling around the country catering BBQ. His barbecue was served to Presidents – to LBJ and Ronald Reagan. He often told stories of history based on his cooking, such as how the steaks were left unserved the day that Pres. John F. Kennedy did not make it to Fort Worth from his tour in Dallas. Don was a family man and often showed his love for his family by cooking for them, grilling steaks, frying chicken, and cooking up biscuits and gravy and fried green tomatoes, gumbo, and catfish. He was a connoisseur of chicken fried steak.

He was a smooth dancer, a quiet man, but he always had a grin and jokes. He would take his mother-in-law to get her hair done every Saturday on his way to work and even though she did not speak his language much, and he did not speak her language, they would watch the soap operas together and catch up on the plot. He was kind and never harmed anyone and spent his life cooking for people. He is survived by his wife Martha Maldonado Dickinson; three daughters: Donna Buchanan and her husband Terry, Regina Black, and Patrisia Gonzales; 4 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. His mother Lila Faye Yearby and his father Bud Dickinson precede him. A memorial will be at a later date. In lieu of gifts, please donate to charities that feed the hungry or your favorite charity.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.funerariadelangeltucson.com for the DICKINSON family.