Pat grew up in Twin Falls until junior high where he then moved to Kimberly and attended Kimberly Junior High and High School while living and working on the family farm. In high school, Pat participated in wrestling where he qualified for state, played football, and was very active in FFA being president of the club his senior year. Pat was also in speech class where he was very proud of his role in “Arsenic and Old Lace.” He then attended University of Idaho for a short time before moving back to Kimberly. This is where he met the love of his life, Dixie after sharing some crackers at the ”Depot Grill.” A few months later, on August 3rd, 1968 they were married for what would have been 50 years this August.
That same year, Pat joined the Navy where he served ten years in multiple duty stations including on ships and as a company commander at San Diego RTC. During one of his duty stations in Seattle, Pat and Dixie had their first son, Todd on March 15th 1970. Also during this time, Pat fought in Viet Nam. While stationed in San Diego, their second son, Cory was born on December 12th, 1976. He would serve two more years before being honorably discharged and move back to Idaho. After a couple of moves, the family settled in New Plymouth. Shortly after moving into their new house, their daughter, Kassie was born on February 23rd, 1983.
Pat was proud of and took great pride in his careers including: managing CENEX, starting and running a spray business with his Dad, managing J.C. Watson in Nyssa, truck driving, Powder Coating, and finally working as a corporate trainer for Internet Truckstop before retiring in 2016.
Pat was man with a contagious smile. His favorite saying when asked how he was doing was, “I am so good it is absolutely insane.” All this would show at dad’s last job where he was somewhat of a celebrity. Fans were made with his face on it that said “I’m a Pat Fan”.
Pat was a man with a strong faith in God. He loved Sunday breakfasts and was very involved with the First Baptist Church. He had even been known for preaching some sermons at different churches in the valley. He also loved to sit around the table with family and friends and laugh until your mouth hurt from smiling. Pat also served in the community volunteering many years on the New Plymouth Fire Department as a fireman and EMT.
Pat is survived by his wife Dixie Dickard of New Plymouth, his sister Pam (Wayne) Taysom of Inkom, his son Todd (Lisa) Dickard of Pasadena, MD, his son Cory (Bernie) Dickard of Melba, his daughter Kassie (Joe) Davis of Ontario, grandkids Kayla Dickard, Todd (Katelynn) Dickard Jr., Aundrea Dickard, Annabelle Dickard, Cody Dickard, Abigail Dickard, Emma Davis, and Paisley Davis, along with many nieces and nephews. He is loved and will be missed greatly by all the lives he touched.
Pat was preceded in death by his mom and dad Troy and Ruth Dickard, and older sister Baby Dickard.
A viewing will be held Monday, June 11th from 5-7 p.m. at Shaffer-Jensen Memory Chapel in New Plymouth. A service will be at 2 p.m. On Tuesday June 12th at The First Baptist Church, New Plymouth with graveside services and military honors to follow at Park View Cemetery, New Plymouth.
