Obituary of David Allen Dickson

David Allen Dickson, age 67, passed away on March 8, 2011, following surgery at Virginia Mason Hospital in Seattle, Washington. David was born to Edgar Hooper Dickson and Lillian Ione Reynolds (Dickson) on July 24, 1943 at Tacoma General Hospital where Lillian worked as a Registered Nurse. She was a graduate of the Tacoma General Hospital School of Nursing, Class of 1937. Edgar Dickson was a graduate of the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English. David Dickson was a 1961 graduate of Peninsula High School. He lived most of his life in Gig Harbor, Washington. Following his graduation from High School David enlisted in the United State Navy on July 20, 1961. He completed his first of two active duty tours in the Navy on July 22, 1964. He received his honorable discharge with the rank of SFM2 (Shipfitter’s Mate Second Class). As a SFM2 David specialized in welding and metal fabrication. After his 1964 discharge from the Navy he resided in Gig Harbor, Washington where he worked for several months for Spadoni Brothers, Inc. as a maintenance welder. In November 1964 he moved to Sand Point, Alaska to work with his brother, Conrad Dickson, for Wakefield Fisheries as a King Crab Processor and welder. In March of 1966 David applied for and was accepted to Texas A & M University’s Industrial Radiography School. On August 4, 1966 he completed the prescribed course work for Radiological Monitor Instructor and was awarded his Instructor Certificate. David continued his studies at Texas A & M University through the Engineering Extension Service in a joint program with the State of Texas Civil Defense Training Program and the Texas Office of Defense and Disaster Relief. On October 7, 1966 he satisfactorily completed a comprehensive course in Industrial Radiography. He was awarded his Certificate as qualified in Industrial Radiography and was qualified as a Radiographer. Following completion of his studies at Texas A & M University David moved to Seattle, Washington where he worked as a Radiographer for and independent laboratory, X-Ray Incorporated. On November 17, 1967 David re-enlisted for a second active duty tour in the United States Navy. He served aboard the USS COONTZ (DLG9). David completed 10 years of military service in the United States Navy on July 19, 1971 and received his second honorable discharge from active duty with the rank of SFM1 on September 3, 1971. Prior to discharge he received two good conduct awards, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Korea), and the National Defense Service Medal. Also prior to his discharge David was highly recommended by his commanding officer for elevation to the rank of Chief Petty Officer. “Evaluation of Performance” – “SF1 Dickson is a capable administrator and has an outstanding knowledge of the Shipfitter rate. He is a competent navy man and an excellent candidate for Chief Petty Officer. He works zealously to complete each task as nearly perfect as possible. SF1 Dickson has the ability to take any assigned job and personnel and train, indoctrinate and supervise their work to produce outstanding results while they are working. SF1 DICKSON’S bearing, attitude, dress and demeanor are outstanding and denote a real military man. He exudes a spirit of well being and friendliness that improves the attitude of the whole division. He expresses himself clearly and logically, both orally and in writing, and his views are respected by those with whom he works. …” “H.R. Long LCDR, USN 01 Sep71.” Had it not been for an ordered reduction in force for the entire U.S. Navy, David would have re-enlisted for a life time career in the United State Navy. He thoroughly enjoyed sailors with whom he sailed and the shipboard travels that took him to Hong Kong, Japan, the Philippines, Okinawa and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. After his discharge from the Navy, David moved back to Gig Harbor, Washington and went to work for the Navy, once again, at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Washington. He built a new home on two acres of land he owned in the Gig Harbor/Rosedale area. David was retired from the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard on a Civil Service Disability Retirement in 1988. He lived in his home until his passing on March 8, 2011. He was a member of the Gig Harbor Elks Lodge No. 2560 and also a member of St. Nicholas Catholic Church, Gig Harbor, WA. David Allen Dickson was the 4th of 5 sons born to Edgar Hooper Dickson and Lillian Ione Reynolds (Dickson). David was preceded in death by both parents and is survived by his four brothers and their families: Darden H. Dickson, Renton, WA and his three sons; David, Paul & Zachary; Pollard R. Dickson, his wife Darlene, North Bonneville, WA, and their 3 children; Ashley Dickson, North Bonneville, WA; Conrad Dickson, Bonney Lake, WA; and Richard Dickson, his wife Michelle, and their 2 daughters; Jordan & Alexandra, San Mateo, Calif.; Conrad E. Dickson, his wife Susan, Gig Harbor, WA, and their son Michael Dickson, his wife Stacey, Gig Harbor, WA, and their 5 children; Courtney, Tanner, Britt, Lauren, & Talmage; and Martin E. Dickson, Quincy, WA, and his 2 Step Children, Carly and Steven. David is also survived by numerous first cousins and nieces. The first cousins and nieces are from the Bernard & Louise Dickson family, Gregory Dickson family, and the Bill & Geraldine (Dickson) Fletcher family. A Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 am on Friday, May 20, 2011, at the Tahoma National Cemetery, located at 18600 S.E. 240th Street, Kent, Washington. The military color and honor guard will conduct honors for David as a Navy and Vietnam Veteran. A luncheon will be served by the family at the residence of David Dickson’s nephew, Conrad Dickson, at his Bonney Lake, WA home. Family and friends of David Dickson are invited to the Tahoma National Cemetery for the Memorial Service, Military Honors, and the luncheon. Those desiring to attend, will receive directions to the luncheon at the service. Arrangements by Edwards Memorial Center 253-566-1008