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TOM DICKSON
Thomas Carroll Dickson
MILL CREEK, Wash.
November 28, 2010 5:35 PM
Tom C. Dickson, 68, former Administrator for Snohomish County Council, environment and natural resource management attorney, and volunteer Arbitrator and Mediator specializing in government affairs, passed away this Veterans Day, November 11, 2010. He was born April 11, 1942. He grew up in Alton Illinois.
In addition to the above, Tom served on several boards of directors including the Board of Governors for the Henry M. Jackson Foundation.
He is a graduate of Western Military Academy in Alton (1960), where he served as a class officer and lettered in football, basketball and baseball; Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill. (1964), where he was a member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity, played football under Head Coach Ara Parseghian, and served as co-chairman of the 1963 Homecoming; and Saint Louis University School of Law, St. Louis, Mo. (1967).
He enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving in Military Intelligence. He earned the rank of Captain while serving under General Creighton Williams Abrams Jr., and served two tours of duty in Vietnam. He was awarded the Bronze Star, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal during this time.
After discharge, he moved to Seattle, Wash., where his professional and personal association with Senator Henry M. "Scoop" Jackson inspired him to serve the people in various roles. His earlier work in politics began with the 1968 National Democratic Party Convention Credentials' Committee. He continued to work in Olympia for the Washington State legislature.
Tom was an avid sportsman, enjoying jogging, white river rafting, hiking and camping. He was a loyal Northwestern University Wildcats season ticket holder, Seattle Seahawks and Mariners supporter; however, the St. Louis Cardinals held a special place in his life. He always tried to schedule his summer visit to his mother's home while the Cardinals were having a home stand.
Surviving are his wife, Karen Biety; his mother, Josephine B. Dickson of Alton; his siblings, Ann Lynne Dickson of Alton, Ralph A. Dickson of Tampa, Fla., and Verna Jo Dickson, Ph.D., of St. Louis, Mo.; loving children, Gretchen, Bill, Christina and Jessica; "Granddad Felix" to Meghan, Alyssa, Matthew, Eric, Ethan, Lucas, Sylvie and Peter.
Tom is preceded in death by his father, Dr. Ralph A. Dickson.
Tom lived a life of helping others, serving his country, and loving his family. An open house was held on Wednesday, Nov. 17, at Mill Creek Country Club, 15500 Country Club Drive, Mill Creek, Wash. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to National Public Radio.
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Marilyn Hope Waide (Lake)
Thanks go to Chuck Scwartz, Larry Donahue and Gary Shackelford for letting me know of Tom's death. Gary, thanks for the link to the obit.
I did not know him in high school, but I met him through the Classmates.com site. I liked him immediately. Gary Shackelford wrote, "Tom was an honorary member of the AHS class of '60. He attended West Junior during the eighth and ninth grades, then Western Military Academy during his high school years. He remained a good friend of many of us in the class of '60."
In the fall, Tom let us know that he had terminal lung cancer and that he would not be able to attend the reunion. He wanted us to know that he wished us all the best for a wonderful reunion and our futures. He faced his death with great grace. How fitting that Tom, a decorated Viet Nam War Veteran, left for his next campaign on Veterans' Day. He is missed.