Master Sergeant (Ret.) Jim Ray Dickson, Sr.

Master Sergeant (Ret.) Jim Ray Dickson, Sr., age 82, of Clovis, California entered into rest on Sunday, August 21, 2022. Master Sergeant (Ret.) Jim was born December 16, 1939 in Durant, Oklahoma. Jim's family moved from Oklahoma to Watsonville, California when Jim was six years old.

Jim's father, Sam Dickson, worked at Granite Rock as well as various golf courses in and around Watsonville. Jim's mother worked at Green Giant in Watsonville, California as a supervisor for many years. Jim was the first born and was blessed with seven siblings; Louise, Sue, Donna, Donnie, Brenda, Debbie, and Pam. Jim began working at the age of six. He helped his Dad build the Seascape Golf Course in Aptos and worked as a groundskeeper and caddie.

Jim married the love of his life, Sylvia Katherine Robinson, on April 23rd, 1961 in Watsonville, California. Jim and Sylvia were High School sweethearts. For Jim, it was love at first sight, so when he found out the feeling was mutual, he couldn't believe it! Jim and Sylvia were married for over 59 years. Jim was devastated when his darling Sylvia went to be with the Lord on February 2nd, 2021.

Jim and Sylvia's son James Ray Dickson, II was born on April 22nd, 1964 in Big Spring, Texas. At that time, Jim was serving his country in the United States Air Force. Jim was a weapons specialist who worked primarily with fighter jets. Jim took great pride in his service to his country. Jim was transferred to Hamilton Air Force Base in California and was blessed with the birth of his daughter, Lourie Lanett Dickson on January 1st, 1969 in San Francisco, California.

Jim Dickson was the ultimate family man. His family was always his number one priority. When Jim was honorably discharged from the Air Force in 1968, Jim moved the family to Aromas, California. Jim was hired by Firestone Tire manufacturing and worked his way up to be a plant manager. When the Firestone plant was shut down, Jim took a job with Armstrong Tires as a night shift plant manager in Hanford, California and moved his family to Visalia, California. Jim and Sylvia and the kids were always looking forward to their next adventure. RV trips every weekend was the norm. Water skiing in the summer, snow skiing in the winter with plenty of aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. Jim and Sylvia's niece, Leah Moon, joined the family for several years and Leah was welcomed into the family as their third child. The family moved to Fresno, California in 1988 after Jim joined the Air National Guard. Jim retired from the Air Guard in 2000. Jim became a licensed real estate agent shortly thereafter and worked together with Sylvia and Lourie as the "JSL Group" for many wonderful years.

Anyone who met Jim knows he was one of the very nicest people you could ever meet. He smiled often, laughed loudly, and told lots of stories. Very few people could out-talk Jim when it came to football, airplanes, cars (mustangs especially), gardening, or coin collecting. Jim believed in hard work, honesty, and treating everyone fairly. Jim was so proud of his kids and grandkids. Whenever Jim had a chance to brag about his kids or grandkids, he took it! Jim never missed a sporting event or school event if his kids or grandchildren were involved in any way.

Jim was an outstanding golfer. Jim had the smoothest golf swing and could hit the ball a mile while making it look completely effortless. Jim was offered a scholarship to play golf in college by Cal Poly, but turned the offer down since he was more interested in marrying Sylvia and starting a family.

Jim loved to travel with Sylvia, his family, and friends and was blessed to travel the world many times over. His travels included trips to Germany, Switzerland, Amsterdam, France,the Caribbean, Jamaica, Curacao, Mexico, all the Hawaiian Islands, Florida, New York, Washington D.C., Maine, Pennsylvania, Texas, Colorado, Montana, New Orleans, Arizona, and all throughout California.

After Jim lost Sylvia in February of 2021, he decided he wanted to visit all of his family across the United States. In June of 2021, Jim, son James and daughter Lourie traveled to Palm Desert, California and bought Jim's dream RV. Jim and James, joined by grandson Nicholas Folland and sister Pam along the way, spent from July to December of 2021 visiting family. By the time they made it to Florida for Thanksgiving, Jim's grief from losing Sylvia had become manageable, his smile was back, and he was looking forward to the future once again.

Jim was never short on courage. He fought through multiple open-heart surgeries, strokes, diabetes, covid, and never ever gave up. Jim's life is living proof of the proposition that love can conquer anything. He wanted to be there for his family as long as he possibly could. He will be missed by so many. Jim went to be with the Lord and his beloved Sylvia on August 21st, 2022.

Master Sergeant (Ret.) Jim is survived by his son James Dickson II; his daughter Lourie Folland (Brian); and his daughter Leah Moon; his sister Louise Torres, his sister Sue Collins, his sister Donna Breeden, his brother Donnie Dickson, his sister Brenda Dickson, his sister Debbie Thomas and his sister Pam Lopez; his grandchild Sean McDonald, his grandchild Megan Calma, his grandchild Lauren Folland, his grandchild Nicholas Folland, his grandchild Nathan Folland, his great-grandchild Hunter McDonald, his great-grandchild Henry James McDonald and his great-grandchild Christian Calma.

A Visitation for Master Sergeant (Ret.) Jim will be held Monday, August 29, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. at Boice Funeral Home, 308 Pollasky Avenue, Clovis, California 93612.

A Chapel Service for Master Sergeant (Ret.) Jim will be held Monday, August 29, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Boice Funeral Home, 308 Pollasky Avenue, Clovis, California 93612 at 11:00 a.m.

A celebration of Jim's life will be held at the 559 Brewery located at 356 Pollasky Avenue from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. where food and beverages will be provided.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5057 in care of Post Quartermaster at 530 North Parkway Drive, Fresno, CA, 93728.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.boicefuneralhome.com for the Dickson family.