David Charles Dickey

David Charles Dickey, 60, left this life on July 17 just as he lived it; surrounded by his loving family. Visitation will be held at the McGilley & Sheil Chapel on Saturday, July 23 from 10 a.m. to noon. A memorial service will immediately follow. Dave was born July 7, 1951 to Stanley and Kathryn Frerking Dickey. He attended Raytown High School where he excelled in sports, still holding the record for highest batting average and best punting average. Dave, (Papa) to his grandchildren, retired from the Kansas City Police Department in 1998 after 26 years of service. He was born to serve and protect. He spent his final 16 years as a motorcycle cop in the traffic division. He would frequently ask a 16-year old speeder if they would rather have a ticket or get chewed out, because he understood how much that ticket would cost a young driver. They gratefully took the lecture. We purchased a lake home in 2003 and it was his greatest delight to take his grandkids fishing, tubing or swimming. He never tired of having them hang on him or pour water on his head. He spent hours treading water at the end of the sliding board. His favorite times were those he spent with his family. He loved to host big dinners and sit around the table telling stories. He loved HoHo’s, Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream, cherry pies and us. We will miss him everyday for the rest of our lives and each of us will be a better person because of him. Many friends and even friends of friends added Dave to their prayers and prayer lists. We do not think for one minute that those prayers went unanswered. When he received his call, he went forward without a moment’s hesitation, believing wholeheartedly that He had a new purpose for him. He was fearless. Dave’s golfing buddies should start looking forward to a golf tournament to be held next year in his honor. Dave was preceded in death by his father, Stanley; brother-in-law, Roger Spickelmeyer and his faithful dog Ellie. He is survived by his mother, Kathryn Dickey; two sisters, Sharon Patrick and Pam Spickelmeyer; his devoted wife, Joan Gorman Dickey and two children, Chandra Kelso (Jeff) and Jeffrey Dickey (Nikki). He had three stepchildren, David Jackson (Stacy), Michael Jackson (Trudi) and Kelly Beaver and seven grandchildren, Bianca Abbate and Bo Kelso, Ashton and Emma Dickey, Brenden Dawley, Trella Jackson and Shayne Beaver. The family would appreciate donations in Dave’s memory to the University of Kansas Cancer Center. We would also like to express our deep appreciation for the nurses, techs and doctors who cared for Dave at KU. Their generosity of spirit and appreciation of his character were so precious to us. Condolences may be sent to www.mcgilleysheil.com. Arr: McGilley & Sheil Chapel, 11924 E. 47th Street, Kansas City, MO 64133 (816) 353-6555. Published in the Kansas City Star on July 21, 2011.