Miss you at the dinners and get togethers, John. You always had a hug greeting for all of us and I miss your smile! You were truly one of a kind and I know your Spirit is with us still
John you were always such a nice person and always a pleasure to run into. May you rest in peace dear classmate and friend. Jawana Hummingbird Kitchens
John, I am sad you are no longer with us. You were such a kind, gentle soul, with a delightful sense of humor. I remember fondly the visits we had on my sister's front porch and cruising Napa in your old car (a Model T?). You were a good friend.
John Thomas Dickson III died Thursday, April 2, 2008, at the Queen of the Valley Medical Center. Although John had been fighting kidney cancer for 3 1/2 years, his death was the result of anaphylactic shock from a bee sting.
John was born Oct. 20, 1947, on Mare Island, to John T. Dickson Jr., and Daisy Heitz Dickson. He attended Napa schools, graduating from Napa High in 1965. He received a bachelor of science degree from San Jose State University in 1969.
He began a career in journalism while working at the Napa Valley Register during college. An adventurous spirit led him to move to Tasmania in 1972 where he continued to work as a journalist.
John married Jackie Witsch of Petaluma in Launceston, Tasmania, in February 1973.
After two years in Australia John and Jackie returned home. John attended the San Francisco College of Mortuary Science and embarked on a new career in the funeral industry.
John retired in 2000 and realized his dream of restoring a 1930 Model A Ford he acquired in 1966. In addition to classic cars, John enjoyed long hikes, bird-watching and traveling. He and Jackie hiked nearly 500 miles of the Chemin de St. Jacques in southwest France.
He served on Napa County Conservation Development and Planning Commission, and on the board of the Land Trust of Napa County. He also worked to preserve Murphy Creek.
John was a member of the Napa Valley A’s, the Diablo A’s, Napa Valley Cruisers and the Native Sons of the Golden West.
He is survived by his mother, Daisy; wife, Jackie; daughters and sons-in-law, Bronwyn and Tom Ney, Megan and Kevin Rose, and brother and sister-in-law, Ken and Linda Dickson. John is also survived by five nieces, one nephew and numerous Heitz and Dickson family cousins. He is sadly missed by many dear friends including his canine companions, Sadie and Cutter.
The way in life starange things happen , I went to see John the day before the bee sting took his life, we went out to the garage and talked about his cars. John told me he was not looking forward to more treatment as he didn't think it was going to help him. He was a great person and we were friends from the day I started going to Ridgeview for the 7th grade., We stayed in contact over the years , I actually lived one house away durring the 70's and we always had Model A and other car stuff bruing and our families spent time together . I had the honor of playing taps and Eternal Father at his Dad's gave site and am the Godfather for one of his daughters. As we all do when it comes to old friends, I think of him often and can still hear the sound of his wonderl gental voice. Thanks John for all the great memories and good friendship. You managed to have the longest restoration of a Model A in history.
I knew john as a great guy, he came to the hot rodders luncheons at Dick Ohldandts in american canyon with Randy Stegman. I still have his picture in my barn above my collection of Model T stuff. john was a very special person and his memory will be with me for ever.
I too knew John in Ridgeview and Napa High. He was always such a nice, sweet , gentle person. I so love his smile and kindness he showed to me. We worked together on the class reunion too. So sad he had to leave us so young. He is truly missed.
I too knew John in Ridgeview and Napa High. He was always such a nice, sweet , gentle person. I so love his smile and kindness he showed to me. We worked together on the class reunion too. So sad he had to leave us so young. He is truly missed.
Bill Simpson
John, I, too, am missing you. You were such a good friend, and such a nice man. Know that you were loved.
Michele Trujillo (Duguay)
Miss you at the dinners and get togethers, John. You always had a hug greeting for all of us and I miss your smile! You were truly one of a kind and I know your Spirit is with us still
John Boyd
Miss you every day John
Jawana Hummingbird (Kitchens)
John you were always such a nice person and always a pleasure to run into. May you rest in peace dear classmate and friend. Jawana Hummingbird Kitchens
Patricia L Hurt
John, I am sad you are no longer with us. You were such a kind, gentle soul, with a delightful sense of humor. I remember fondly the visits we had on my sister's front porch and cruising Napa in your old car (a Model T?). You were a good friend.
Patricia L Hurt
From the Napa Valley Register, April 6, 2008
John Thomas Dickson III died Thursday, April 2, 2008, at the Queen of the Valley Medical Center. Although John had been fighting kidney cancer for 3 1/2 years, his death was the result of anaphylactic shock from a bee sting.
John was born Oct. 20, 1947, on Mare Island, to John T. Dickson Jr., and Daisy Heitz Dickson. He attended Napa schools, graduating from Napa High in 1965. He received a bachelor of science degree from San Jose State University in 1969.
He began a career in journalism while working at the Napa Valley Register during college. An adventurous spirit led him to move to Tasmania in 1972 where he continued to work as a journalist.
John married Jackie Witsch of Petaluma in Launceston, Tasmania, in February 1973.
After two years in Australia John and Jackie returned home. John attended the San Francisco College of Mortuary Science and embarked on a new career in the funeral industry.
John retired in 2000 and realized his dream of restoring a 1930 Model A Ford he acquired in 1966. In addition to classic cars, John enjoyed long hikes, bird-watching and traveling. He and Jackie hiked nearly 500 miles of the Chemin de St. Jacques in southwest France.
He served on Napa County Conservation Development and Planning Commission, and on the board of the Land Trust of Napa County. He also worked to preserve Murphy Creek.
John was a member of the Napa Valley A’s, the Diablo A’s, Napa Valley Cruisers and the Native Sons of the Golden West.
He is survived by his mother, Daisy; wife, Jackie; daughters and sons-in-law, Bronwyn and Tom Ney, Megan and Kevin Rose, and brother and sister-in-law, Ken and Linda Dickson. John is also survived by five nieces, one nephew and numerous Heitz and Dickson family cousins. He is sadly missed by many dear friends including his canine companions, Sadie and Cutter.
Walter Mikolajcik
The way in life starange things happen , I went to see John the day before the bee sting took his life, we went out to the garage and talked about his cars. John told me he was not looking forward to more treatment as he didn't think it was going to help him. He was a great person and we were friends from the day I started going to Ridgeview for the 7th grade., We stayed in contact over the years , I actually lived one house away durring the 70's and we always had Model A and other car stuff bruing and our families spent time together . I had the honor of playing taps and Eternal Father at his Dad's gave site and am the Godfather for one of his daughters. As we all do when it comes to old friends, I think of him often and can still hear the sound of his wonderl gental voice. Thanks John for all the great memories and good friendship. You managed to have the longest restoration of a Model A in history.
Valerie Tiedemann (Nance)
I knew john as a great guy, he came to the hot rodders luncheons at Dick Ohldandts in american canyon with Randy Stegman. I still have his picture in my barn above my collection of Model T stuff. john was a very special person and his memory will be with me for ever.
Bob Nance
Bonnie Anderson (Dozler)
I too knew John in Ridgeview and Napa High. He was always such a nice, sweet , gentle person. I so love his smile and kindness he showed to me. We worked together on the class reunion too. So sad he had to leave us so young. He is truly missed.
Bonnie Anderson (Dozler)
I too knew John in Ridgeview and Napa High. He was always such a nice, sweet , gentle person. I so love his smile and kindness he showed to me. We worked together on the class reunion too. So sad he had to leave us so young. He is truly missed.