Charles Dickenson

Charles William Dickenson
May 12, 1918 to April 16, 2009



Charles ("Charlie") William Dickenson, 90, beloved father and loving husband, passed away April 16, 2009.

Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, April 20 at OakCrest Funeral Home, 4520 Bosque Blvd.

Services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday April 21, at Central United Methodist Church with the Rev. Carl and Linda Freeto officiating. Burial will follow at Waco Memorial Park.

Charlie was born May 12, 1918 in Melissa, Texas. He moved with his family to Waco, Texas when he was 6 months old. Shortly after his graduation from Waco High School in 1936 he started working on the loading dock of the shipping/receiving department at Waco Hardware Company.

During his 51 years of employment, he was promoted to a variety of positions and eventually became President of the Company until his retirement in 1987 when Waco Hardware liquidated. He served two terms as President of the Associated Hardware Buyers.

Charlie served in the United States Army as a Sergeant in the 436th Signal Battalion in New Guinea, the Philippines, and Australia during World War II, 1942-1945.

Charlie played semi pro baseball for a few years and loved the sport. As a young boy he met Babe Ruth who gave him one of his bats after an exhibition game. In later years he loved working outdoors in his yard and prided himself on his perfectly manicured lawn and shrubs. And yard work wasn't complete without his Dr. Pepper.

He volunteered in the community by working with Caritas for fifteen years and served on the Board for six of those years. He also served and delivered meals with Meals on Wheels for twenty years.

Charlie was active in the Methodist Church for over 80 years. For the past twenty years he was a charter member of Central United Methodist Church and over time held every elected office in the church. For the last ten years he was the first person greeting people at the door as they entered the church. Many people said that he was the reason they joined the church because of his gracious personality and warm smile. He was known as the "official hugger" of the church.

He was known for his honesty, hard work, intelligence, commitment to excellence in all tasks, dedication to family and friends, sense of humor, and kindness. He never met a stranger and was loved by everyone that knew him.

Charlie always noticed special qualities in others and coined a unique nickname to depict those qualities in each person. In his own way he valued and honored others and in return he was loved and respected by all. He was a remarkable and memorable individual. We will miss our Charlie (Papa, Peepaw, Grandpa, Doll) dearly and we will never forget him. He will forever be in our hearts.

Charlie was preceded in death by his first wife, Bertha Irene Geldmeier Dickenson, mother and father, Nancy Maude and Charley Thornton Dickenson, and brother, Leo Rae Dickenson.

He is survived by his loving wife, Marjorie Meadows Dickenson, his daughter, Nancy Katherine Dickenson Glass, his son, Lonnie Alston and wife, Johnnie, his step daughter, Jody Hagan and husband, Lance, and his brother, Homer Dickenson and wife, Margaret.

He is also survived by five grandchildren Delton Arlin Dickenson Glass and wife, Michelle, Charles Alston, Steven Alston and wife Stephanie, Scarlett Koettel and husband, Darren, one step grandchild, Courtney Teesdale, and five great grandchildren. They all loved and respected him very much.

Pallbearers will be Delton Arlin Dickenson Glass, Charles Alston, Stephen Alston, Dale Dickenson, Lance Hagan, and Bob Waller.

The family requests in lieu of flowers that donations be made to Central United Methodist Church.