10/21/1929 - 7/22/2018
Gerald Raymond Dickson, 88 was born October 21st, 1929 in
Portland to Raymond Avery Dickson and Ola Ethel Dickson (Pyle). He passed
away July 20th, 2018 at Swiss village in Berne, Indiana. He married Carolyn
Sue Wright June 17th, 1956. In January of 1998, she preceded him in death.
Gerald started school at the age of four in a one-room
school house south of Pennville, Indiana. He attended grades 5th-9th at
Pennville School and grades10th-12th at the Bryant High School. Throughout
high school, he was active in playing baseball and basketball and graduated
in 1947.
In January of 1951, he entered the Army
Airborne. He completed 16 weeks of basic training at Camp Breckinridge,
Kentucky. At Fort Benning, Georgia, Gerald received his Airborne jump
training. He was then transferred to the 11th Airborne Division at Fort
Campbell, Kentucky. He made 36 parachute jumps, and served as Sergeant
training Airborne troops. He was discharged from the Army January 1954.
Gerald completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical (Tool)
Engineering at Chicago Allied Institute of Technology May 23rd, 1958. He was
employed in Chicago doing architectural design after graduation. For
approximately 30 years he was employed as the plant Facilities Manager at
Franklin Electric in Bluffton, Indiana.
Gerald excelled
in the sport of golf, making two, hole in ones, during his golfing career.
He also enjoyed being a part-time farmer in Noble Township until 1992. After
retiring from Franklin Electric in 1988, he meticulously restored at least
36 antique tractors.
He married Sondra Lee Zimmerman in
2000 after the death of his first wife. Gerald and his beloved wife Sondra
enjoyed traveling and spending time with friends and family. He became a
devoted stepfather to four children, Kurt Zimmerman wife (Leslie), Kimbra
Weesner husband (Gary), Karen Hemmelgarn husband (Doug), Kevin Zimmerman
wife (Melody), 11 grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren.
He was of Christian faith and a member of the Mount Zion United Methodist
Church. He was involved with youth ministry from 1967-1989 engaging in
choral and bicycle trips. Gerald was actively involved with the Breakfast
Optimist Club and Tri State Gas Engine and Tractor Association. He also
served on the planning and construction committees for the Jay County
Library and Jay County Jail.
Aside from his parents,
Gerald was preceded in death by three brothers, Dwane Elton, Neil Lee, Gary
Paul and sister, Dorothy Maxine. One living sister, Anna May Williams
resides in Appalachia, Virginia.
Gerald loved God, his
family, Franklin Electric, and Blackberry Pie.
Visitation will be held from 3-7 pm on Tuesday at the Williamson-Spencer and
Penrod Funeral Home in Portland, Indiana. Funeral services will be held at
10:00 am Wednesday at the funeral home. Pastor Darrel Borders will officiate
at the service and burial will follow at the IOOF Twin Hills Cemetery,
Pennville. Military graveside rites will be conducted by American Legion
Post #211 of Portland.
Williamson & Spencer
7/22/2018
Contributed by Jim Cox
Buried in Twin Hill Cemetery