James Richard Dickey

Born on October 27, 1936, in Marshall, Texas, he was the son of the late George Washington Dickey and Bertha Dansby Dickey. He was the second of three children and remained throughout his life a man shaped by the strength and grounding of his early beginnings.

Jim graduated from Prairie View A&M College in Texas and began his professional life as a teacher before entering the United States Army and beginning a distinguished military career. During his years of service, he earned two master's degrees and retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

A proud Vietnam Veteran, Jim also lived abroad during his military years, including time in Ankara, Turkey, and Germany, before returning to the United States. After retiring from the Army, he worked for DuPont and later for the Department of Defense, from which he retired in 1999.

Reflections on His Life

He spent his later years in the Washington, D.C. region. He loved fishing and boating, and on many summer weekends he could be found at his place in Coles Point, Virginia, enjoying life on the water. Jim was highly skilled at handyman work and gardening, and in his vigorous years, he worked out at the gym daily. He also enjoyed World War II documentaries, sports, and the news, preferring to begin and end each day informed about national and world events.

Those who knew him recognized him as a steady code of discipline, toughness, independence, kindness, and resilience. He met life directly and carried himself with strength.

He never lost sight of his beginnings. Throughout his life, whenever he was in the United States, he made it a point to visit his mother, brother, and nieces at least yearly, especially at Christmas.

Jim shared an immediate and lifelong bond with his stepson, Thomas J. Dixon. In later years, he was blessed by the devoted presence of Donna Shelton, his life partner.

Another constant and deeply meaningful part of Jim's life was his connection to his nieces and their families. Anyone who knew him undoubtedly heard mention of Sarah and Gilberta, names spoken with affection and constancy through the years.

Jim was preceded in death by his father, George Washington Dickey; his mother, Bertha Dansby Dickey; his brother, Gilbert Wilson Dickeey; and his sister, Sarah Jane Dickey.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his stepson, Thomas J. Dixon and family; his devoted partner/caretaker, Donna Green Shelton; his beloved nieces Sarah and Gilberta and their families; and a host of long-term friends.