James K. Dickey

Columbus

James K. “Jim” Dickey, 79, passed away at 8:30 a.m. Sunday, May 10, 2015, at Four Seasons Health Care Center.

Jim was born October 6, 1935, in Columbus, the son of James and Mildred Warner Dickey. He married Sharon Kay Ray June 14, 1959.

He was a 1953 graduate of Columbus High School where he was a member of the marching band. He loved to play the trumpet and was a member of the Rhythm Airs and the Modernairs Orchestra in the 1950s. After high school, he attended Indiana Business College and started working for Cummins in 1955. He was price control manager when he retired after 30 years, in April of 1985. After retiring from Cummins, he worked as the bookkeeper for Ray’s Marathon.

He was a fan of westerns, especially John Wayne movies. As a boy, he spent Saturday afternoons at the Rio, Mode, and Crump theaters. He enjoyed his large vegetable garden, playing golf, and fishing. He was an avid Cubs fan, enjoyed watching IU basketball and the Indianapolis Colts football team. He loved to sit on the deck and watch his grandchildren and grandpuppies play in the backyard. He loved his family very much and he loved his extended family at Four Seasons as well.

Jim served in the National Guard for 11 years. He was a member of First United Methodist Church, the Jaycees and the F. O. P. He was president of Parkside Elementary School PTO and designed the original Westenedge playground in 1972. He also was a member of the North Booster Club for many years, coached Little League baseball and umpired girls softball at the old County Stadium.

Survivors include Sharon, his wife of 56 years; his son, Greg (Nickcola) Dickey of Fort Wayne; his daughters, Cheryl (Brian) Dieckmann and Julie (Nick) Woolls, both of Columbus; grandchildren, Joshua (Maria) Dieckmann of Junction City, Kansas, Jennifer Dieckmann of Columbus, Amanda Eckert, Zachary Eckert and Christina Dickey, all of Fort Wayne.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents.

The funeral will be conducted at 1p.m. Friday, May 15, at Myers-Reed Chapel on 25th Street in Columbus. Calling hours will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday and one hour prior to the service on Friday. Burial with graveside military rites conducted by Bartholomew County Veterans Honor Guard will be at Garland Brook Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Community Animal Rescue Effort (CARE) or the American Diabetes Association.

Online condolences may be sent to Jim’s family at www.myers-reed.com.