1922-2017
James S. Dickson, 95, of McCandless, went to be with his Lord on May 11, 2017 following a battle with Parkinson’s. Jim, known for his positive attitude, is survived by his beloved wife of 67 years, Dorothy (Wagner) Dickson; daughters Deborah (Timothy) Dutrow, Barbara (Bill) Bain; as well as four grandchildren, Megan (Jim) Heistand, Brian (Laura) Bain, Drew Dutrow and Kate (Mark) Gray; and seven great grandchildren, Mallory, Talia, Troy, Macey, Nehemiah, Levi and Weston.
Born and raised in Ross Township, son of Russell and Margaret Dickson and brother to Robert, Jim was a man of great character and integrity who lived life to the fullest. He was a veteran of the United States serving as a Navy pilot and flight instructor during WW11 and retiring from the US Navy Reserves. For many decades he continued to share his love of flying, offering airplane rides out of the Zelienople Airport to family, friends and students.
Jim received his teaching degree from the State Teacher’s College at California, PA and his Masters of Education from The University of Pittsburgh. He held various teaching (Industrial Arts and Mathematics), coaching and principal positions retiring in 1988 after 41 years of service for the Pittsburgh Public School System. While principal at Prospect Middle School he implemented the “Principal’s Adventures” involving students in backpacking, repelling, flying, canoeing and spelunking. Throughout his life he was a mentor, tutor and role model for many; forever a teacher.
He had many interests; hunting, scuba diving, tennis, church softball and travel, and continued enjoying boating, Canadian fishing, hunting and gardening into his later years. He was an avid golfer into his nineties. Jim was a master craftsman, building his own home along with many other challenging wood-working projects.
In the midst of his many talents the most important part of life for Jim was spending time with his family and serving the Lord he loved. He and Dorothy were members of Northmont United Presbyterian Church since 1950 where he was an elder and taught senior high Sunday school. When someone casually asked Jim, “How are you today?” his response was always “Every day is a holiday!” His professional and personal life impacted countless lives. He will be missed by many.
A Celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, May 20, 2017, at 11:00 a.m. at Northmont United Presbyterian Church, (8169 Perry Highway, Pittsburgh, PA 15237). Memorial contributions may be made to Northmont UP Church.
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