Donald R. Dickinson

Donald Richard Dickinson was born July 17, 1937 in Fairfax, OK. His parents were Robert S. and Cinda Belle Grimes Dickinson. He passed away Nov. 29, 2014 at Central Wyoming Hospice and Transition.

Don's father was a rig builder and later an ironworker. They moved fairly often to where jobs were available. Once Don started school they never moved during the school year. The family moved to Casper in the summer of 1948 and Don attended Willard Elementary School. Their first winter here they survived the "Blizzard of '49". Don had fun playing in the snow and didn't mind the cold temperatures but his parents were eager to leave Casper in the spring. They moved to El Dorado, Kansas. His mother said the summer was as hot as the winter had been cold. Before school started, in the fall, they moved to Worland and came to love Wyoming. They attended the church of Christ in Thermopolis and Don was baptized in the river at the "Wedding of the Waters". The family lived in Casper the 3 years Don was in 9th-12th grades. He graduated from N.C.H.S. in 1955. Following graduation, he moved to Denver where he attended a school to learn to repair TV's and radios. In January of 1956 he enlisted in the U.S. Army. Following basic training, he spent several months in Augusta, GA attending school to be a Field Radio Repairman. Don spent the next 3 years in Germany.

Following his discharge from the Army in Jan. 1960 he worked awhile before enrolling at Casper College. He graduated from C.C., with an A.A. degree, in 1963. In Jan. of 1964 he enrolled at Oklahoma Christian College. Shortly after arriving on campus he met Joy Jones and they were married in June 1964.

Most of Don's working days were spent in oilfield supply. He worked various jobs in the business. Don & Joy lived in Casper, since their marriage, with the exception of 2 years in Thermopolis and 3 months in Gillette.

Don and Joy were blessed with 3 wonderful daughters: Tammy, Tina & Jana.

Don was an active member of the church of Christ serving as a deacon and later as an elder for several years. He was always willing to help anyway he could. He loved God's beautiful creation. He enjoyed church picnics, fishing, most any outdoor activities, spending time with both his family and Joy's family in Alabama and going to Jackson Hole and Yellowstone.

In 2001 he was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease and later developed dementia. Through the years his health steadily declined. In 2005 he started going to 5 Trails Adult Day Center and looked forward to going there to participate in activities. In May of this year he needed more care than could be given at home. He spent the last 6 months at Poplar Living Center where he received the care he needed as well as Hospice care. The last 4 days of his life were at the Hospice home where he received loving tender care to the end.

Don was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Robert S. Dickinson, sister-in-law, Gloria and a nephew, Gary Dickinson.

He is survived by his wife, Joy, of 50 years, daughters, Tammy and her husband Todd Loomis, Billings, MT, Tina and her husband Larry Omdahl, Gladewater, TX and Jana and her husband Nick Hopkins, Casper, WY. Six grandchildren: Alan and Makayla Loomis, Tiffany and Brooke Hopkins, Kelsey and Erik Omdahl, niece-in-law Kim, nephew Richard & his wife, Joy's brother, Bobby (Murl) Jones, sister, Cherry (Frank) Chesser, and several nieces and nephews.

Donations may be made in Don's name to Central Wyoming Hospice, 319 South Wilson, Casper, WY or Poplar Living Center, 4305 South Poplar, Casper, WY.

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