Kevin James Dickey
June 26, 1975 – September 8, 2026
Kevin James Dickey was born on June 26, 1975, at Methodist Hospital in San Antonio, Texas, to Cathy Pennington and Lloyd Dickey. Two years later, the family welcomed Kevin’s brother, Jeffrey Dickey.
Kevin lived in Texas for 16 years before moving with his mother and stepfather, Jerry Pennington, to Yokosuka, Japan, where Jerry had accepted a new job. Kevin began his sophomore year at Nile C. Kinnick High School on the Yokosuka Naval Base and remained there through graduation.
During his senior year, Kevin was selected as Athlete of the Year—a well-deserved honor. He represented his school in football, basketball, volleyball, baseball, and soccer. As captain of the winning football team during his senior year, Kevin was even interviewed by Japanese television. That year, his high school team played against a Japanese college team and won the game. How many people can say they graduated from high school in Japan? Kevin could.
Kevin later attended Tyler Junior College before entering the workforce. As a young man, he held several jobs, including working for a waste-disposal company and at a mobile-home manufacturing plant.
Kevin eventually left the San Antonio area and made his home in Decatur, Alabama, where he met and married his wife, Tanya. He spent the last 20 years living and working in Decatur and was employed by EZ Pull & Pay at the time of his passing.
Throughout his teenage and adult years, Kevin maintained a deep love for basketball. He was doing something he truly enjoyed—shooting hoops—on the day of his passing.
Kevin leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife of two years, Tanya Keenum; five children, Marisa Hernandez (Paul Martiner), Josten Compton (Emily), John Dickey, Matthew Fernandez (Tristan), and Jade Morales (Gavin); two stepchildren, Jeremiah Kirby and Destiny Kirby (Anthony Freeman); and his grandchildren, Antrew Hernandez, Allyson Hernandez, Riley Compton, Kayce Compton, Scott Stegman, and Georgia Freeman.
Also grieving Kevin’s passing are his parents, Jerry and Cathy Pennington and Lloyd and Georgia Dickey; his brother, Jeffrey Dickey; his mother-in-law, Tammy Reeves; and several uncles, aunts, cousins, and other relatives and friends who will deeply miss the joy he brought into their lives.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday evening, September 15, 2026, at Stone River Church.
Kevin’s family rejoices in knowing that he has joined his Heavenly Father and opened his eyes in Heaven to the welcoming face of Jesus Christ, his Lord and Savior.
We are grateful, Kevin, for everything you brought into our lives, for all the love you gave, and for a life well lived. We will miss you until we see you again.
We love you.
