Fred J. Dickinson

Fred J. Dickinson, 64, of Hughson, passed away July 28th, 2019. He was born in Santa Cruz on February 21st, 1955. Fred grew up in Santa Rosa and graduated from Montgomery High school in 1973. In 1984 he earned his bachelor's degree in Radio and TV from Fresno State University.

Fred was married to Robin Dickinson on July 2nd, 1988. While enrolled in a Master's program for Mass Communication at Fresno State, Fred began volunteering at California Association of Physically Handicapped, Fresno, later accepting a full time position. This position was from a state grant, in which he taught disabled high school students about the independent living philosophy. In 1989 Fred moved his family to Modesto where he accepted a position with the Modesto Independent Living Center as an Independent Living Specialist. Fred proceeded to work until 2008 where he retired after serving as the Director of Services for over 15 years. All during his time at Fresno State University until his retirement in 2008; Fred participated in weekly community outreach programming teaching the independent living philosophy, first with a talk radio program called "Breaking Barriers", to two magazine interview television shows on local cable channels, to participating with a local TV news team. All of these outreaches involved topics of importance to individuals with disabilities within the community, state and national levels.

Fred had a passion for many things. He loved sharing with his son's his favorite bands, directors/films, comedians and plays. For example, Fred loved The Beatles. Whenever a fab four song came on the radio, he always asked his son's to guess what band it was. They always knew to say The Beatles, because that's the only band he would ask for. His favorite song was "Night's in White Satin" by The Moody Blues. He expressed his love of the powerful lyrics accompanying the moving music. Fred's favorite movie was "Forest Gump", he watched it at least once a year. Fred had a wonderful sense of imagination, and wonderment throughout his entire life. He was an incredibly kind man, who had unflinching convictions that he held true. Despite his emotional depth and sensitivity, Fred also liked to party. Fred had a rock star streak in him. His love of partying was aligned with his character, that being a man that saw the importance of getting along with others, letting loose and having fun. Not taking life so seriously.

Fred was a man who absolutely, positively, destroyed the odds that the world stacked against him. He was only given 6 years to live after his accident that caused him to need to use a wheelchair for the rest of his life. He lived for 40 more years, raised a loving family, made a successful career out of helping others, and lived his life to the fullest. Fred did it all with a sarcastic smirk, beer in one hand, and a middle finger raised in the other. We could all learn a thing or two from Fred's philosophy. A man who stared death in the face at such a young age, learned to respect and love life in all its facets, while somehow knowing not to take it so seriously. Having fun whenever he could.

Fred is survived by his wife, Robin (Johnson) Dickinson; his two sons, Joshua and Zachary Dickinson; his mother, Elizabeth (Betty) Dickinson and his brother and his family, Kevin and Nihn Dickinson and children, Michael and Katherine. A private family ceremony will be held on August 9, 2019 at Lakewood Memorial Cemetery. Fred's family and friends will have a celebration of life for him in the near future.