September 16, 1941 – November 22, 2023
James (Jim) Evans Dickson got his bodily independence on September 16, 1941 (Mexican Independence Day) in Rochester, NY. He was the son of Gertrude Hunt Dickson and Henry Evans Dickson. He was preceded in death by Gertrude and Henry Dickson, his adored and beloved son, James Major Evans Dickson and his brother, Richard Frederick Dickson. When Jim was about six, the family moved from New York to Houston. Jim was a 1960 graduate of San Jacinto High School and continued to be a supporter of “The Campus Club” news bulletin. While in high school, he worked at Apple Chevrolet installing Delco radios, when no one else knew how to do that! Although he never graduated from a university, he racked up 100+ college hours in physics and electronics. While in college, Jim was invited to join the US Army as a private, then graduated from OCS at Fort Sill, OK, as a First Lieutenant in Air Defense Artillery.
In 1967, he was transferred to Ft. Bliss in El Paso. He met Margery “Hita” Mayfield on a blind date on May 27, 1967. On July 15, 1967, six weeks later, they married in St. Clements Episcopal Church. Following their wedding, they traveled to Massachusetts where he was stationed at Nike Village, a Nike missile site just north of Boston. In Feb. 1968, Lt. Dickson was transferred to Korea and became commanding officer of 4th Battalion Herc, 44th Artillery, Foxtrot Battery, aka, Camp Intercept Korea.
Upon exiting the US Army in 1969, Hita and Jim established residence in Bellaire, TX. He and his dad, Henry, became partner- salesmen for Oklahoma Furniture Manufacturing in Guthrie, OK. Jim and Henry opened up Wholesale Furniture Distributor (WFD) warehouse to supplement products that the furniture dealers frequently requested. Shortly, Jim and Hita moved to Guthrie, OK where Jim was asked to become Assistant Sales Manager of Okla. Furn. Mfg. At the same time, his dad and mother continued to operate the warehouse in the Houston area. In 1974, following the death of Henry, Jim and Gertrude moved WFD to the Almeda Road location, expanding the distribution business.
The most blessed event happened in 1977 when his son was born. James Major Evans Dickson (Jimmy) arrived on April 30. Again, in 1980, Jim was asked to return to Okla. Furn. Mfg. for two years, as Assistant General Manager to run production of the entire plant. That began the dream for Jim to have his own manufacturing company. Returning to Houston in 1982, he opened Star Products, manufacturing on Ripley Circle in Houston. Expanding again, he purchased 7015 Grand Blvd. when Star Products and Wholesale Furniture Distributor truly grew. His products were MADE in the USA, with distribution warehouses in Houston, El Paso, Mississippi, San Antonio and in Florida, California and Utah. Eventually, it became Dickson Furniture Industries, known nation-wide.
Jim was compassionate, generous, a leader, a mentor, a businessman, a fisherman and an avid fan of every Sci-Fi Star Trek TV show ever produced. In 2017, he became the Treasurer of The Seva Clinic, a charity clinic in Pearland. He also was the main supporter of Hita’s charity, Christian Helping Hands in Pearland, that she founded in 1984.
Jim is survived by wife, Margery “Hita’ Dickson, nephew, Christopher Henry Dickson and wife, Gloria, niece, Lori Meunier and husband, Ray. He is also survived by sisters-in-law, Cynthia Tyrrell and Suzanna Burns and numerous nieces and a nephew, Taylor, Alyssa and Kaitlyn Kukulinski, Gabriella and Corbin Dickson. He is adored by special friends, Grant Hadley and Wade Kinsey and a host of many across the USA.
Since Jim was an avid Sci-Fi fan, he would have said, “Beam me up, Scottie.” Jim passed on November 22, 2023 following a very brief illness. He is now fishing with Jimmy, Richard, Hillsman, Henry, Tommy, Herb and a host of other anglers!
A private burial will be Friday, December 1, 2023 and a grand Celebration of Life will be held in January, 2024, date and location TBD. In lieu of the usual remembrances, please donate to the building fund of the future, joint home of The Seva Clinic and Christian Helping Hands. The 12,000 square foot structure in nearing completion, which Jim truly wanted to see to the finish. Donations may be mailed to Christian Helping Hands, Inc., P.O. Box 34, Pearland, TX 77588-0034. For more details, visit www.jeterfuneralhome.com
8 thoughts on “James "Jim" Evans Dickson”
We were deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Jim Please accept our heartfelt condolences
Jim was a truly kind and generous person. He will be very much missed by all who knew him. Deepest sympathy.
So sorry to hear of Jim's passing, he was a great mentor in my early years which led to success later on. He will be sorely missed but i I will always have great memories of him.
Condolences to the family. Rest in Peace Sir
So sorry to hear of Jim's passing. About a month ago, we lost my mother in law. The good ones die too soon. Jim was a good one.
Hita:
Very sorry to hear of Jim's passing, he was a great friend, buddy and neighbor. My prayers are with you and the Dickson family.
Jim Fonte
We are so very sorry to hear. Condolences to those who knew and loved him. We send our prayers and angels for healing and understanding to all friends and family.
I am so saddened to learn of the passing of my cousin Jim. I thought I would see him this winter. Our mothers were sisters and resembled each other very much. But their personalities were quite different. Jim and my late cousin "Dickie" were my only cousins close to my age and I enjoyed them both very much. Jim and my husband Ron were both at Fort Sill, but didn't know each other then. I have always admired Jim's generosity to others and Helping Hands is just one example.
After my father died in 1963, and I was only in 9th grade, my mother and I flew to Houston and his dad "Uncle Harry" became a surrogate dad to me. He took me fishing on a pier in Galveston and pretended I had caught a fish. It was a dead one he put on my line!! His humor was wonderful.
After Harry died Jim and Dick and Gert came to Hollywood, FL to visit us at Christmas. They were grown men, but Gert dressed them in the same red sweaters!! I have the photo to prove it.
So I have wonderful memories of him and the kindness he showed to me over the years, including hiring my son Brooks at Wholesale Furniture after he got cut from a junior hockey team in Texas. It was much better that Brooks got to know both Jim and Dickie! He lived with Dickie, but worked for Jim!
And of course, Hita has always been so generous and welcoming to me and my daughter Luci when we have visited. Luci and Jimmy were the same age . We were devastated by the loss of Jimmy.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this difficult time Hita.
Love, Amanda and Scott Wiesenborn