Mike Dickson, a native son of Henderson County, passed away at his home on Sunday, November 27, 2022.
He lived his life by the motto he shared with softball recruits during his years of coaching.
“It’s not about winning-it is about having fun.”
Born Oct. 6, 1943 in Reagan, Tennessee, Michael Lamarr Dickson, was the son of Huley and Lavonia. He started his education at Piney and Shady Hill schools before attending Lexington City School. He later graduated from Lexington High School before starting his college career at Memphis State University. His love of baseball began during his Little League and Babe Ruth years and continued until he died. He played independent baseball for years and later church league briefly. Through the years, he made many baseball trips to St. Louis with friends to watch the St. Louis Cardinals. He coached Girls softball for many years. In 1995, Mike’s Angels took the first place trophy in Knoxville at the USSSA State Slow Pitch Softball Tournament in the Girls 18 and under age division.
He enjoyed his farms, playing golf, cards, stray animals, and some people.
In 1967, he took a gamble on a dream to own his own business and bought a gas station at 305 Church Street from his long-time friend, David Jowers and opened Mike’s Esso. At the time, the station across from the old Lexington City School was a local gathering place for old and young alike. In 1969, he and his wife, Martha Howard Dickson, opened a second station at Parker’s Crossroads. In his first year of business, he was awarded the Tennessee Service Station of the Year Award as the Outstanding Dealer of all stations in Tennessee by the Tennessee Federation of Garden Clubs and the Volunteer State Oil Company. In 1970, the young couple bought a third station at 1-40 & Hwy 104 in Cedar Grove. In 1970, he was voted the Exxon Retailer of the Year for the Memphis District in Tennessee. Until last year, he continued to work and drive his wrecker with his dog, Pepsi, in tow.
Over the years, he gambled on stray animals and stray people who came into his life. He might spend money on a stray and hand out money and food to those in need. He was presented with Tennessee’s first Citizen Award in 1971 by Judge Galloway of Nashville for Interstate Service rendered beyond the call of duty.
He leaves behind his wife of 58 years, Martha Howard Dickson, a daughter, Michelle (David) Baker of Haymarket, Virginia, three grandchildren: Drew (Cynthia) Baker of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Grant Baker of Charlotte, North Carolina, and Michaela Baker of Nashville, and many cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Myra Lykken, his parents, Huley Dickson and Lavonia Dickson Peterson, a very special aunt and uncle, Edith and Lois Fesmire, and several more wonderful aunts and uncles.
Visitation with be on Tuesday, Nov. 29 from 6-9 p.m. and on Wednesday, Nov. 30 from 10 am-1 p.m. at Pafford Funeral Home. The service begins at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 30 at the funeral home. Long-time family friend, Dr. Hoyt Wilson will officiate. Interment will be at Mt. Gilead Cumberland Presbyterian Church cemetery. He was a member of the church when it was active. The church will be open following the ceremony.
Pallbearers are David Baker, Drew Baker, Grant Baker, Steve Helms, Robin Helms and Ricky Howard. Honorary pallbearers are Jimmy Dickson, Daniel Escue, Robert Helms, David Jowers, and Tim McPeake.
