Kenneth P. Dickson

6/29/1935 – 8/19/2022

Kenneth P. Dickson was born on June 29 ^th 1935 in Cherokee County at his home in New Summerfield, Texas.  He was the only child of Coy Dickson and his beloved mother Esther Richey.  Ken spent his formative years in the thick forests of East Texas where he forged a love for the outdoors.  Working alongside his parents, he gained immeasurable knowledge and experience procuring fruits and vegetables, a passion that continued for the remainder of his life.  He specialized in caring for Orchids and always had a beautiful arrangement on display.  His tomatoes were second to none!  His passion for nature led to many adventures throughout his life; fishing, back-packing and skiing in the back country of Colorado, New Mexico and the Wyoming Wilderness, which he shared with his many friends and family.

Graduating early from New Summerfield HS, Ken attended North Texas State College in Denton where he studied Biological Sciences.  Ken loved his time in college and often assisted his professors by teaching undergrads lab work associated with his field of studies.  It was during this time that he met his life partner, Lucy Ellen Baker of Port Arthur, Texas.  After a relatively short courtship they married in March of 1964 and upon graduation Ken was offered a position by two physicians as the hospital administrator of Newton Memorial Hospital in Newton, Texas.  This began a long career in Health Care.

After a short stint in Newton the newlyweds relocated to Quanah Texas where both of Ken's sons were born, Kenneth L. (1964) and Kevin (1966).  In Quanah, Ken assumed the role of Hospital Administrator and oversaw the construction of a brand new, 50 bed hospital.  While in Quanah he developed a passion for aviation and earned multiple Federal Aviation Administration licenses including single engine land with an instrument rating and CFII or certified flight instruction with an instrument endorsement.  Throughout his life Ken found great joy in sharing his knowledge and love of aviation, electronics and amateur radio, mentoring many young people to follow in his footsteps.  Several of his students went on to have successful careers in aviation, electronics and radio communications.  While in Quanah the Dickson family were befriended by several acquaintances who would remain lifelong friends and have had a major impact on Ken's family.  In particular, the Carpenter family; Bill and Betty and their 5 children Kirby, Kay, Gary, Julie and Lee Anne.  The Carpenter's and Dickson's remain close friends to this day.

In 1968 Ken received a call from a group of physicians inquiring in his interest to take on the role of Hospital Administrator in Sweetwater, Texas.  Ken accepted the offer and moved his family to the Rattlesnake capital of the World. There, Ken developed close, lifelong relationships in the medical community, while continuing to participate in his passion of aviation and the AARL, Amateur Radio Relay League, for which Ken held a General and Instructor license for over 50 years. Ken could translate over 20+ words per minute in morse code.  He took pride in his role as the director of the WASP's reunion held at the National WASP WWII Museum located at Avenger Field, Sweetwater's local municipal airport.  The Women Airforce Service Pilot's (WASP's) trained there during the 2 ^nd World War. Ken was also very active with the local Chamber of Commerce while in Sweetwater.  Carrie Lucille Williams a.k.a. Miss Willums to Ken L. and Kevin, became their beloved 3 ^rd grandmother.  A lifelong educator and neighbor to the Dickson's, Miss Willums became; travel partner, childcare provider, disciplinarian and until her passing was a constant presence in the boy's lives.  A portion of Ken L's ashes are interred alongside Miss Willum's grave site in Sweetwater's Cemetery.  In early August of this year, Ken was able to visit the site which brought him great peace and resolve!

Ken never lost his love of the outdoors, so when the opportunity arose to work for the Colorado State Health Department, he jumped at the chance to relocate his family to Littleton, Colorado.  He assumed the role of Deputy Director of Colorado's state-wide health care facilities.  His duties included ensuring the proper management and licensure of all hospitals and nursing care facilities around the state.  Ken traveled extensively throughout Colorado and while doing so, located many of the top fishing locations in the state.  He taught his sons to fly fish, tying many of his own fly's.  Family ski vacations in Colorado and New Mexico and later backpacking trips in the wilderness of Wyoming with his dear friend and colleague Dudley Leonard were a highlight in Ken and his boy's lives.

At the completion of Ken L.'s and Kevin's collegiate career's, Ken and Lucy relocated to Atlanta, Georgia where Ken took the position of Assistant Director of Health Services for the GA State Health Department.  Ken L. acquired his father's love for travel and upon graduation from Oklahoma State University traveled to the South Pacific and took up residence in Auckland, New Zealand.  This provided the opportunity for Ken and Lucy to continue their adventures visiting the South Pacific 14 times.  They toured extensively in Australia, New Zealand and Fiji.

With Ken L.'s family firmly established in New Zealand, Ken and Lucy sought closer family ties and upon retirement from the Georgia State Health Dept. found their way to Fallbrook, California to be near Kevin and his family.  In California, Ken continued his passion for public service assuming a lead role in the Fallbrook Amateur Radio Club assisting local emergency services during several fire and natural disaster events. He assisted with security and radio communications during the annual Fallbrook Avocado Festival, as well as their annual Christmas parade.  He was a regular participant in the Fallbrook Amateur Radio Club field days with his many HAM radio pals.  He served on the board of the local library, utilizing his knowledge of computers to write programs assisting with their operations.  He was an active member of the Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce and was a ROMEO, Retired Old Men Eating Out, a group of fine gentlemen who get together weekly to share some of their fantastic stories.  Ken cherished his time in Fallbrook developing strong friendships with numerous families in the community.  He was an active member of Grace Presbyterian Church in Vista, CA and was a firm believer in Christ the Lord his Savior!

It brought Ken great joy when he recently witnessed his granddaughter, Hannah Dickson graduate with honors from Tarleton State University in Stephenville, TX.  He was immensely proud that all 5 of his granddaughters have earned college degrees.

Ken honorably served his country as a medic in the US Army from 1958-1960.

Ken was preceded in death by his son Kenneth L. (Auckland, New Zealand), cousins Johnny Richey (Jacksonville, TX) and Ronnie Richey (Rusk, TX).  He is survived by his wife Lucy Ellen Dickson of Lompoc, CA. Son Kevin and daughter-in-law Balinda (Santa Ynez, CA), granddaughter Hannah Dickson (fiance' Ben of Dublin, TX), daughter-in-law Keely Dickson (Bayswater, New Zealand), grandchildren Greer, Jessica and twin boys Ben and Tyler (Auckland, New Zealand).  Granddaughter Bree Kelley (Justin of Visalia, CA), great granddaughters Taylor and Colbie (Visalia, CA), grandson Chad Marcotte (Laine of Woodlake, CA) great granddaughters Charlie and Landie (Woodlake, CA).  Sister-in-law Ruth Cox, brother in-law Pat Cox (Richmond, TX) nephew Lee D. Cox (Joanna, Richmond, TX).  Cousin Charles Dickson (Nell, Tyler, TX).  Cousins Pat Richey (Jacksonville, TX), Jimmy Richey (Corrigan, TX).

Per Ken's wishes a private family burial is planned in the coming weeks at the Riverside National Military Cemetery in Riverside, CA.  A Celebration of Life Service is planned for October 22, 2022 at Grace Presbyterian Church in Vista, CA.  Time to be announced.

In Lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN or to Grace Presbyterian Church, Vista CA.