Gerald Edgar Dickson Jr

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Gerald Edgar Dickson Jr. (Jerry)

LAYTON a€" Gerald Edgar Dickson Jr. (Jerry) passed away peacefully at his home in Layton on Tuesday, October 19, 2010. He was 85.

He was born in Elgin, Illinois, on July 28, 1925 the eldest son of Gerald E. and Esther Ball Dickson. He was a hard working farm boy with a passion for flight. At the age of 17, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps and was later commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant. He received an appointment to the United State Military Academy at West Point and graduated in 1951. He was accepted for pilot training, and flew the F-86 and the P-51.

He married Jean Kriedler in 1954 and they had four children.

Jerry had a long and distinguished military career with assignments which included England, Germany, Wisconsin, Hawaii and Vietnam. As an F-100 pilot, he earned many awards and decorations including the Silver Star, Bronze Star and Air Medal. After 37 years in uniform, he came to Hill AFB where he retired in 1979 as Lt. Colonel. After an earlier divorce, he married Janice Loken on July 4, 1982. After retirement, he became a Real Estate instructor, property manager, and owner of rental properties.

He had an interest in history and liked to share his knowledge of antique arms and armor with others. He was active in the Utah Gun Collectors for many years and also the Utah Shooting Sports Council, and other civic organizations. He was a lifelong member of the Methodist Church.

He is survived by his wife Janice, his children, Cathleen (Wayne) King, MS; Diane Dickson, Ogden; Gerald E. III (Linsey), Eden; and Janice''s children, Emily (Kent) Sayles, MT; Raymond (Pamela) Loken, West Valley City; Elaine (John) Wyllie, Providence; Valerie (Nicholas) Dimas, Salt Lake City; and Robert J. (Cindy) Loken, Syracuse. Together they have 22 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Also surviving are his brothers, James (Peggy), WI; John (Pat) WI; sister, Patricia (Robert) Thurow, and many nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by his parents and daughter Patricia.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, October 27, 2010 at 10 a.m. at Lindquist''s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Road. Friends may visit family on Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Wednesday from 9:00 to 9:45 a.m. at the mortuary. Interment, Lindquist''s Memorial Park at Layton, 1867 No. Fairfield Road.