Edward Raymond Dick

EDWARD RAYMOND DICK, 97, passed away Tuesday, August 24, 2021 in Katy, Texas from natural causes. Ed is survived by three sons, Alan, Larry, and Stephen; daughters-in-law Betsy, Joan, and Katherine; grandchildren Kim and Matthew, Lauryn and Cody, and step-grandsons Jason and Richard; and nieces and nephews Robert, David, Diane, Debbie, David and Danny.

Born in Enid, Oklahoma on April 4, 1924, Ed was the middle child of Guy and Lillian Dick, and had an older sister, Dorothy, and a younger brother, James. The family shared the difficult experiences endured by many families during the Depression, settling finally in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Ed suffered a childhood illness, which kept him bedridden for a year. Thanks to an endless supply of books and an air rifle, both supplied by his mother, Ed became both a voracious reader and a crack shot. In high school, Ed was active in scouting, becoming an Eagle Scout and earning the Order of the Arrow. His participation in his school’s honor society debating club ultimately led to his pursuing a degree in law from the University of Oklahoma. Before going to college, Ed trained as a bomber pilot in the Army Air Corps at the rank of 2nd Lieutenant but did not see combat in World War II. Ed was a reservist in the Air Force until his final discharge in 1962.

In 1948, Ed married Veronica “Vera” Whincup. Born in Hebburn, England, Vera immigrated to the United States in1946 to Tulsa, where the two met on a blind date. They shared 56 years and a thousand adventures together until Vera passed away in 2004.

After working for short time in the U.S. Attorney’s office in Durango, Colorado, Ed began a long and successful career with Gulf Oil. He began as a Landman, negotiating drilling rights with landowners across the United States. Later, he was promoted to international agreements, negotiating with governments and multinational corporations in Europe, Africa, Russia and the Pacific Islands.

Ed was a dedicated athlete, a skilled fly fisherman, and a lifelong golfer. Ed and Vera were active in their church, leading college-age youth groups and teaching adult classes. He continued to lead church study groups well into his retirement. In addition to these talents Ed was a mentor, theologian, storyteller, family historian and enjoyed singing.

There will be a private service for Ed’s family in Durango, Colorado where his ashes will be placed alongside Vera’s in the columbarium at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church.

Gifts made in Ed’s honor may be given to the Alzheimer’s Association in thanks for the support they provided as he cared for Vera during her struggle with the disease.

Ed’s family wishes to thank the staff at Sunrise Senior Living, and Buena Vida Hospice of Katy, Texas for their care of our loving father, grandfather, and uncle.