James Vernon Dickerson passed away Feb. 26, at BSA SW Hospice in Amarillo, Texas. His children, friends and beloved dog, Grizz, were with him. He was born Jan. 27, 1931, in St. Louis, Missouri, to the late James Manuel and Anna Pearl Dickerson.
He is now with his wife of 60 years, Elizabeth Ann Dickerson, whom he missed terribly for the last four years. Jim was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and had many stories of his time spent in the military. He was a truck driver until he retired, but later in life he received his gunsmith repair certification and federal firearms license.
He had a small business, Dickerson Sports and Gun Repair, in Tucumcari, New Mexico, and he could talk guns with anyone. He loved the outdoors, and his children will always remember the camping and fishing trips to Rock Creek in Utah.
He is survived by his seven children, James Michael (Tami) of Polson, Montana, Edward Francis “George” (Carrie) of Evanston, Alice Marie (Jack Rector) of Taylorsville, Utah, Paul David (Julie) of Taylorsville, Utah, Cynthia Ann of Tucumcari, New Mexico, Joseph Leo (Anna) of West Jordan, Utah, and Margaret Rose of Amarillo, Texas; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; six step-grandchildren; six step-great-grandchildren; two sisters, Earlene Clement of St. Louis, Missouri, and Deloris Moon of Patterson, Lousianna.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth Ann; his brother, Forris Dickerson; infant twin brothers; his sisters, Lorraine Mikesell and Loretta Ventimiglia; and a grandchild, Elizabeth June.
Jim never met a person or animal he couldn’t talk to or tell a story. He is surely telling stories in heaven.
Jim was cremated, and a memorial will be held at a later date in Taylorsville, Utah. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to either the Children’s Cancer Fund of New Mexico or Guiding Eyes for the Blind.
