"My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Mr. D was a great teacher and I really enjoyed him as my golf coach. He taught be the basics of golf. I know he is in a better place now. He will be missed by all. Take care."
In loving memory of
Jack G. Dickerson
January 18, 2009
Jack G. Dickerson, son of Carl G. and Lois I. (Gruber) Dickerson was born on May 14, 1942 in Shenandoah, Iowa. He entered into eternal peace on Sunday, January 18, 2009 at his home surrounded by his loving and supportive family following a courageous bout with cancer at the age of 66.
Growing up in Shenandoah, Jack attended the Shenandoah Community Schools. Following high school he enlisted in the United States Navy. On July 19, 1959, Jack was united in marriage to Elaine D. Gass. To this union were born two children, Daniel and Danette.
Jack retired as a 20 year veteran from the United States Navy in 1979. His last command was with the White House Communications Agency serving President Ford and President Carter. After retiring from the Navy, he attended Peru State College in Peru, Nebraska graduating in 1989 with a Bachelors Degree in Education. He was the Business Teacher at Shenandoah High School for 15 years. While at Shenandoah High School he coached girls volleyball and golf. He took great pride in being able to coach his State Champion granddaughter, Alex, in golf.
Those left to honor his memory include his wife of over 49 years, Elaine (Gass) Dickerson; their two children, Daniel Dickerson and his wife Patti, and Danette Curry and her husband Douglas and their daughter, Alexandra Curry, all of Shenandoah; step-grandchildren, Matt Anderson of Grand Junction, CO and Ryan Anderson of Missouri; four brothers, Dean Dickerson and wife Sherry of Anita, IA, Paul Dickerson and wife Geraldine of West Liberty, IA, Allen Dickerson and wife Amy of Jacksonville, FL and Bill Dickerson and wife Tery of Essex, IA; three sisters, Mary Chipperfield and husband Norman of Townsend TN, Rebecca Duke and husband James and Terry Voth and husband Paul, all of Independence, KS; sister-in-law, Lynda Dickerson of Shenandoah; AFS children, Fernando D'A Villa, Antje Beckmann and Chinnapat Wirachakul; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother David and a sister Carol Ann.
Memorial Services were held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, January 22, 2009 at the First Baptist Church in Shenandoah with Rev. Gary Fuller officiating. Attending to the memorial register were Marilyn Millikan and Barb Taylor. Serving as ushers for the service were Bob Bowman, Junior Taylor, Tom Lavely and Tim Taylor. Sandy Hilding shared her gift of music at the organ, while Terry Voth shared a special reading. Special music for the service were two of Bill Gaither's classics, "Old Friends" and "I Believe In A Hill Called Mount Calvary". Serving as honorary casket bearers were Ronnie Slauter, Jack Millikan, Lewis Adamson, Terry Scheibler, Keith Meyer and Keith Craig. Military Rites were presented by the Shenandoah American Legion Post #88. Memorials may be directed to the American Legion Golf Course or to the First Baptist Church.
Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at www.hackettlivingston.com. Hackett-Livingston Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
Tributes
"Dear Elaine, we are with you. You should know there will always be a place in our hearts to remember of Jack. He was a great friend. Now his pain is over, and we hope, he`ll find peace. Your German friends Gabi& Steffen"
" If tears could built a stairway and memories a lane I´d walk right up to heaven and bring you back again......... I love you Mom, Danette, Dany, Alex, Patti, Doug Antje"
"I'm so sorry to hear of Jack's passing. He was a great man, educator, and teacher. I remember when Jack first came back to Shenandoah, we played a lot of volleyball in the Farragut gym. I quickly realized how real volleyball was played. His great smile and personality will be missed greatly. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. May God Bless. "
"Elaine Jack, to me was always an example of a gentelman and an example of something that every one should be proud. I'm thankfull that Jack has no more pain from the cancer. My prayers are with you. Classmate Ken Ketcham"
"God Bless you and your Family. I was very fortunate to have Mr. D as a teacher, and he will never be forgotten. He touched many hearts and was a couragous person. I always and always will look up to him. He is an Angel. God Bless you "
"Mr. D was a great man, a terrific teacher, and an awesome coach. He opened two whole new worlds for me. the great game of volleyball and the love of golf. I will be forever grateful to him. I had so many great times playing vb and golf for him. I will never forget him. And ever since then he would still always greet me with a hug and a smile. I loved him. He will be missed greatly. Sincerely, Lori Jennings-Carlson"
"Dear Elaine and family, My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time. Knowing Jack since kindergarten means a real loss to you and all his classmates. Sally (Eischeid) Hopkins"
"YOU ARE IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS AT THIS VERY DIFFICULT TIME. REMEMBER ALL OF THE WONDERFUL MEMORIES YOU HAVE ALL CREATED TOGETHER. "
"My daughter Denae played for the Shen/Essex golf team. She loved Mr D. He helped her in so many more ways than on the golf course. He had a way of making her focus and working hard both on and off the course. I will always be greatful to Mr. D for all his time spent with Denae. To Alex: Don't be sad because he's gone but treasure the wonderful time he spent with you."
"Elaine and family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of your loss. My children learned lots from Jack, whether it was sports or school or life, and they send their condolences, also. Thinking of you at this time, Elaine Broermann "
"Mr. Dickerson was my Computer class teacher in High School. I loved his enthusiasm about computers and I've always wanted to compete with him to see who was the fastest at the keyboard. I will forever miss him. "
"Elaine and family: I am so sorry to hear of Mr. D's passing. He will be missed! Take care of yourselves and each other. Holly Martin SHS Class of 1993"
"Mr. Dickerson was a wonderful man and teacher. He always had a kind word and was very encouraging. He will be greatly missed."
"Jack will always be remembered for his love of teaching and kids. He was the most carrying person that would do anything for students. His sense of humor and the love of volleyball will be missed. "
"Sorry to hear about your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. God Bless, Shane Dukes, Megan Smith, and Boys"
"Mr. D will be greatly missed by all that knew him. He especially had an impact on my life as a teacher and as an excellent golf coach. I'm am very sorry for your loss, but we all know he is in a better place now. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of his family and friends."
"Jack Dickerson graciously taught me how to play golf and was an inspirational father figure to me on the golf course. Although he was not my dad, and not directly related to me, he still found a lot of time to spend with me on the golf course through training and mentoring. I look back with great joy and affinity for Jack and the times that we shared together. His laughter was contagious; his patience with me was abundant. He taught me a lot about golf and I actually shot the best round of my life this last summer. Every time I hit the practice greens, I will remember Jack and some of the practical tips that he passed on to me. Let it be known, however, that having Jack as part of my life was an investment far greater than the sport of golf. Golf was his means to pour into my young life. Thank you Jack."
"Elaine and Jack's dear family, know that Ron and I are so sorry for your loss and have you in our prayers. Jack was a dear, gentle man who loved his wife, family, country and friends. We will miss his sincere and loving smile as we remember our friend. "
"OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU ALL - WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THE GREAT, WONDERFUL GOLFING FUN WE HAD WITH MR D AND HOW SPECIAL WAS TO US. WE WILL MISS HIM OUT ON THE COURSE THIS NEXT SEASON - BUT WILL BE GOLFING FOR HIM EVERY DAY AND WILL HAVE HIGH-HOPES FOR GETTING TO STATE AGAIN FOR HIM - HE WILL BE WATCHING OVER US AND MAKING SURE WE GET THAT JOB DONE AGAIN! WE WILL MISS HIM, THANKS. WENSTRANDS"
"I'm so sorry to hear about jack.....Our condolences and prayers are with you and your family..... Barb/Ed Blank"
"I am so sorry for your loss. Jack was great person and I feel deeply honored to have known him and to have had him as a mentor. "
"As we have shared a similar last year, it is ironic that both of our loved ones left this world of pain for a better place. I know that is has been hard, but look at what we have learned from it. Remember - Jack and your family has been in my thoughts and prayers over all the years. He was a great next door teacher at SHS and I will strive to continue to teach out our common beliefs to the youth of Shenandoah. Peace and Love to you all, Teresa Simmons and family"
"I had Mr. Dickerson as a golf coach when I was in high school(1993-96)_he taught me alot about the game of golf and had a wonderful time playing the game with him. He invited us(the team) over for a supper at his home once, he was such a caring and generous man and always had a smile. I would still see him from time to time as an adult and he still remembered me. He was an awesome person and coach!! My deepest prayers and thoughts are with you and your extended family. Wendy Ossian Gardner"
"To all the family, friends and students of Mr. D, He will not be forgotten! He was one of my MOST FAVORITE teachers at Shenandoah and greatly impacted my life with his passion for teaching. He was also there to talk to and laugh with at all times. Praying for peace and comfort during this hard time, but also rejoicing knowing that all the pain and sorrow is gone. Blessings!"
"Jack is and will always be a great man. He will be greatly missed."
"Mr D will be missed tremendously...what a great coach/teacher. I know he has left a stamp on my life and I am glad to have had the pleasure to have him touch my heart. Thanks for all of the good memmories we will miss you."
"Sorry to hear the news. Jack taught me quite a few things, not just as a teacher, but as a friend. He was a great man who taught me how to swing a golf club. It was a passion of his that he shared with me. He also took part in Shenandoah's first State Bowling Championship. The ride up to Waterloo was absolutely one of the best times of my life, and probably one of the worst to him:-) He was a great man, and will be missed by all. Accept my deepest sympathies. God Bless! Darin Pease"
"Dan and Family: Sorry to hear of your loss. I always enjoyed visiting with Jack whenever I would see him at the golf course or at a ball game. "
"Elaine, and family--we are sorry but a blessing at least he suffers no more. You are in our prayers. God Bless. Wish we could be there. We are in McAllen Tx dw n pw"
"I am so sorry to hear about your loss. He was a great teacher. "
"My thoughts and prayers are with your family at this difficult time. Jack touched so many of us through his career as a teacher and coach. He will fondly be remembered. "