Tributes

DONALD ANTHONY DICKMAN passed peacefully from this life on Sunday, August 2, 2015, surrounded by the love of his children and grandchildren. Don was born on August 10, 1926, in Granite Falls, Minnesota, to Albert and Mary Dickman, and was the cherished baby brother of Alice and Irving Dickman. Don helped in his dad's barber shop, worked as a projectionist in the town movie theater, flew crop duster planes, and graduated from Granite Falls High School in 1944. He enjoyed keeping up with his old friends and classmates from "Granite" over the years. While still a 17 year-old senior in high school, Don enlisted in the Army Air Corps in reserve status, and was called up for active duty training in Feb 1945. At the end of WWII, Don was honorably discharged and worked for a time as a mail carrier with his brother Irving in San Diego, before joining the newly-organized US Air Force in 1948. He passed the college equivalency test and was appointed as an officer candidate, training as a pilot Cadet at Randolph Field in San Antonio, Texas. It was there that he met the love of his life, Peggy Jeanne Mayo, on a blind date to attend Mass in 1950. Don proposed on the low stone wall at the end of Magnolia Drive in Breckenridge Park, and the couple was married on the morning of April 29, 1950, at St. Mary's Chapel in San Antonio. Their years together produced a houseful of children who shared the adventure of frequent moves, world travel, and a treasure chest of memories as an Air Force family, with assignments in Alaska, California, Washington, Okinawa and Florida. Don cherished his 23 years of service as a fighter pilot, his role as wing leader and "Dad" in the squadron, and the camaraderie of Air Force life. Don chose to retire in 1968 at the rank of Major, rather than take a promotion and further separation from his family during the Vietnam Era. He settled his family back in San Antonio, where he was a rock of support for Peggy's extended family, and guided his five children through adolescence and into adulthood. Don indulged his love of flying through employment as an accident investigator for Airways Insurance, and then indulged his love of all things automotive, through many years of work at Duke Electric Company and as a Chilton Manual representative. For three decades his hobby was restoring early-model Ford Mustangs, and sending these on to be cherished by appreciative new owners. Don and Peggy enjoyed many years of peaceful retirement together, with occasional trips to military and class reunions and visits to their children and military friends. After Peggy's death in 1999, Don soldiered on, enjoying the friendship of other retirees in weekly lunches, most recently at Raffles restaurant, and daily coffee visits at the local Whataburger. He enjoyed keeping up with old Air Force friends around the country and folks from his home town of Granite Falls, through regular phone calls. Don's children delighted in many years of shared family celebrations, where Dad could be relied on for commentary on current events and detailed reminiscences of past happy times; he always offered an "I love you" and a prayer of blessing to each child and grandchild at parting. Don was a devout Catholic throughout his life, with a deep faith and active prayer life as well as faithful participation at Mass and service to his home parishes in various capacities over the years. He was a member of Knights of Columbus, and supported a variety of faith-based charities as he was able. Don and Peggy were members of St. Thomas More parish, and then became founding members of Our Lady of the Atonement parish Anglican Use Liturgy in San Antonio. Don also appreciated the ministry and community of St. John Neumann Catholic Church, near his home. Don was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 48 years, Peggy , by his parents Albert and Mary, his brother Irving, his sister Alice, and by infant twins Bryan and Cathy. He is survived by his children: Larry Dickman and wife Gail of San Antonio, Stephen Dickman and wife Terri of Austin, Diane Hanley and husband Ray of Little Rock, Joan Archer and husband Dan of Lago Vista, and Paul Dickman and wife Judith of San Antonio; by his seven grandchildren Brian Dickman Missy of Austin, Valerie Ramos Daniel of Phoenix, Rachel Glenn David of Benton, Arkansas, Emily Staples Charlie of Melbourne, Florida, Alex Archer of New Orleans, Christine Archer of Austin, and Joseph Donald Hanley of Little Rock; and by his six great-grandchildren, Jude and Charlotte Glenn, Ella and Parker Ramos, and two great-grandsons due in October. Don's and Peggy's lives were for all who knew them, a shining example of enduring love, a joyful marriage, and faithful service to God and country. Their children are grateful for the years we had together, and for our parents' legacy of hard work, deep faith, encouragement and steadfast family bonds. Our thanks are extended to the caring staff of Gentiva Hospice on Blanco Road, as well as the staff of WellMed, Regent Care Oakwell Farms, and Northeast Baptist Hospital.

Tributes

Donald Dickman

August 10, 1926 - August 2, 2015