Col. Dwight L M Dickerson

Colonel Dwight L M Dickerson, Jr. 76, of Noblesville, went home to be with our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, on Wednesday, December 5, 2012. He passed away at his home, with family and friends by his bedside. The most important things to Dwight were God, family, country and community. He will be sadly and greatly missed by his wife, family and friends.
He was born February 14, 1936, the son of Dwight L M Moody, Sr. and Glenna (Dearth) Dickerson of Zanesville, Ohio, who preceded him in death. In Perry Central Grade School, he was a Cub Scout and later a Boy Scout. He was a graduate of John Glenn High School in Zanesville, Ohio, where he received three scholarships, and learned to fly an airplane and soloed at the age of 16 and received his pilot's license.
He was an Ohio State University graduate with a four year Bachelor's Degree in Business. While he was at Ohio State University he was invited to join Mensa, an organization for highly intelligent people, but declined. He also started "The SophistiCats Band", which played Big Band music for clubs and dances all over Columbus, Ohio. He enjoyed music, reading, working in the yard, golf, football, baseball, basketball, travel and The BIG TEN Network. He had a beautiful sense of humor and could talk with anybody about anything. He was extremely knowledgeable in many subjects and had experienced much in his short time on earth. He fully lived his "dash".
He was with the ROTC in High School and later joined the US Marine Corp where he completed his Basic Training in Parris Island, South Carolina. His platoon was sent to Vietnam (pre the Vietnam War) to complete a "Special Mission", and returned with all the men he left with, which he took great pride in telling the story. He was in the US Marine Corp for 18 years, but he will always be a US Marine and number one fan for Ohio State University. He was also an Indianapolis Colts fan, but lost some interest when Peyton Manning left the Colts.
After being honorably discharged from the US Marine Corp, he took a position with State Auto Insurance Company in Columbus, Ohio, where he received many awards for Fieldman of the Year. He was eventually transferred to Noblesville, Indiana and worked for State Auto Insurance Company for a total of 18 years. During that time, he taught some insurance courses at Purdue University in Lafayette, Indiana. Most of his adult years were spent in the insurance business.
His parents were very community conscious; therefore, Dwight came by his involvement in state and community affairs honestly. He coached Noblesville area little league youth sports (football and baseball) while working a full time job and being a Reserve Police Officer with the Noblesville Police Department for 18 years. In 1991, he became a member of the Indiana Guard Reserves and retired in 2009 with the rank of full-bird Colonel (again, 18 years). He was highly decorated and received The Distinguished Hoosier Award, Letters of Commendation from Generals as well as from the Adjutant General of the Indiana National Guard, Certificates and Awards throughout the years, served as President of 1752 Club, TIGRA, and was a member of The Navy Club, The American Legion, the Marine Corp League and SAUGUS. Most of his friends respectfully and lovingly called him "Colonel". He then took numerous classes and reached his goal of becoming a certified trainer in Indiana in order to begin training community people to help others in times of a catastrophic emergency. He was one of two certified trainers with the Hamilton County C.E.R.T. Program.
Dwight is survived by his wife of 18 years, Linda (Dotson) Dickerson; a son Andrew Dickerson (Heather); a step-daughter, Robin (Wyatt) Pilkington (Eric); a grandson, Kyler; and four granddaughters, Haeyli, Bailey, Riley and Taylor. He is also survived by step-children from a previous marriage, Jeff, Greg, Kim and Kelly Crider; and several step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00PM on Sunday, December 16, 2012 at Christ Community Christian Church, 772 North 10th Street in Noblesville, with Chaplain Tom Burton officiating. A graveside burial service will be held at 2:00PM on Monday, December 17, 2012 at Crownland Cemetery in Noblesville.