Donald Francis Dick

Donald, the oldest of five children of the late Raymond and Josephine Kayes Dick, was born in Bradford, PA and grew up in Olean, NY. Upon graduation from high school in 1944, he along with 15 of his classmates was inducted into the U.S. Army and he was assigned to the European Theater with the 106th Infantry Division in the Battle of the Bulge.

He attained the rank of staff sergeant. Following his honorable discharge in 1946, Donald returned home and entered St. Bonaventure University from where he graduated with a degree in finance in 1950.

On January 10, 1951 he married the love of his life, Betty Jane Dobmeier, also of Olean. He began his career in accounting and finance with Clark Brothers (now Dresser-Clark Industries) in Olean.

In 1956 he joined IBM and for the next 20 years worked at a variety of the company’s operations in New York state. In 1977 he was transferred to IBM at the Research Triangle where he worked until his retirement in 1990.

In 1953, while on a work assignment, he first visited Brunswick County, North Carolina and fell in love with coastal Carolina. He and his family vacationed there regularly since. In 1989 he and Betty established a second home in Sunset Beach.

Donald and Betty were avid travelers prior to and long into their retirement, visiting many National Parks, Europe and South America. One particularly memorable trip was a cruise up the Amazon River. He also had visited Ireland, where his maternal grandparents were born. He and his wife were masters at card games and were bridge teachers. He was a gentle and nurturing father, grandfather and great-grandfather, with a great wit and loving smile.

In addition to his wife, Donald is survived by their four children, Debi (Mike) Spain of Schenectady, NY; David (Melissa) of Blowing Rock, NC; Kathy (Beth) of Louisburg, NC and Tim (Kim) of Apex. Also surviving are 10 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Marjorie (Al) Gates of Providence, RI. In addition to his parents, he was also predeceased by his sisters, Marilyn Deignan, Mary Jo Lafferty and Martha Rudiman.

Donald was a devout Roman Catholic who was proud of his faith and tradition. He was a parishioner of St. Mary Magdalene Church in Apex and St. Brendan the Navigator, in Shallott.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to the staff of Hospice of Wake County whose kindness in recent weeks was so appreciated.

A funeral liturgy to celebrate Donald’s life will take place Monday, June 9, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Apex. Inurnment will be in St. Andrew The Apostle Catholic Church, Apex.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society, 8300 Health Park #10, Raleigh, NC 27615, or to the St. Mary Magdalene Church Building Fund, 625 Magdala Place, Apex, NC 27502

Online condolences may be made at www.apexfuneral.net