James Felix Dickenson, Sr.

James Felix Dickenson Sr., of Roanoke, was born on December 30, 1928 in Castlewood, Va. and returned to his Lord on February 23, 2015 at the age of 86. Awaiting him were his parents, Felix Walter and Ruby Hurd Dickenson, parents-in-law, Sam and Vera Williams, and his infant daughter, Vera Eugenia. Remaining to honor his memory and examples are his beloved wife, Lynn Williams Dickenson, with whom he shared several years of courtship and 64 years of marriage, whom he adored and cared for until his illness; his sister, Eugenia (Gene) Dorton; brother-in-law, Paul Joseph (Joe) Williams, and wife, Bertha; his daughter, Jennifer Lynn Dickenson; his sons, James Dickenson Jr. and wife, Kathie, Gregory Dickenson and wife, Connie, Theodore Dickenson and wife, Brenda, and Eric Dickenson and wife, Jenni; his granddaughters, Autumn Ferris and Emma Dickenson; his grandsons, Andrew Dickenson and wife, June, Travis Dickenson and wife, Carrie, Hunter Dickenson and wife, Erin; granddaughter of the heart, Oyu Enkhbold; his great-granddaughters, Isabella and Nataleigh Dickenson; his great-grandsons, Julian, Caleb and Elliott Dickenson; and numerous nieces and nephews. Family mattered most to Jim. A family reunion was his idea of a vacation. Churning ice cream or slicing a watermelon with his kids on the patio was his idea of entertainment. Later he relished beach trips and Hokie bowl games with his grown children. Once, in the relaxed aftermath of a family wedding, surrounded by the chatter and laughter of his children and grandchildren, Jim spoke up and said, This is what I like. Jim provided for his family as a 40-year employee of the Va. Dept. of Agriculture and with a second career in real estate. In retirement he immersed himself in service through the ministries of Central United Methodist Church, Salem, where he was a member for 53 years, and through The Gideons International for the past 17 years. He was also a participant and leader in the local Walk to Emmaus community. Jim was a godly man and an encourager to his pastors. Along with his wife, Lynn, he visited the sick and the imprisoned, was generous to many missions and charities and personally assisted people who were in need. After graduating from Temple Hill High School in 1946 and from Augusta Military Academy in 1947, Jim enrolled in Virginia Tech, served in the Reserve Officer Training Corps and graduated in 1951. He was a life-long, all-weather Hokie football and basketball fan and held season tickets in Cassell Coliseum from the day it opened. Through his love of sports, Jim influenced countless young men, especially his sons, by coaching youth basketball and baseball. His childrens friends were his friends. With a self-effacing, simple manner and a twinkling sense of humor, he set people at ease. He attended his grandchildrens sports, music and other events and encouraged all their interests. A farm boy at heart, Jim loved vegetable gardening and outdoor work. Summer evenings would find him bringing fresh tomatoes, cucumbers or shelly beans up to the house. He tended his own yard until the last year of his life. He loved his home place in Castlewood and helped keep it going until his children took over. Jim is deeply missed. But his family is certain he is gathered with friends and loved ones, sharing stories and pausing to say, This is what I like. The family would like to thank all the loving caregivers of Gentle Shepherd Hospice who attended to Jim in recent months. Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, February 26, 2015 at 11 a.m. at Central United Methodist Church, 428 S. College Ave., Salem. Visitation with the family will follow. A memorial service will be scheduled at Temple Hill Cemetery in Castlewood, Va. at a later date. The family asks that, instead of flowers, friends consider sending donations to Central United Methodist Church or to the Salem-Craig County chapter of The Gideons International, P.O. Box 1291, Salem, Va., 24153.Visitation

Thursday, February 26th, 2015,

Central United Methodist Church

428 South College Avenue Salem, VA 24153

Service Information

Thursday, February 26th, 2015 11:00am,

Central United Methodist Church

428 South College Avenue Salem, VA 24153

Interment Location

Temple Hill Memorial Park

2529 Memorial Drive Castlewood, Virginia 24224