James R. “Rick” Dickerson

If you measure your life in friends and good deeds, Rick Dickerson reached the finish line with an epic and glorious win. Loved by and having affected so many people in such a positive way, he will truly be missed, and he will always live in beautiful memories of myriad people.

James Richard “Rick” Dickerson, born of Elmer James and Betty Josephine (née Hauer) Dickerson, on December 12, 1948, in Kansas City, Missouri, left this life on Sunday, January 29th, at his home in Martin City, after watching his beloved Chiefs bring another Super Bowl appearance to KC.

After attending Southeast High School in Kansas City, Rick went on to a career as an engineer, which he didn’t keep only to his profession, but also shared with anyone in need. Rick, as those who were close to him know, was a truly selfless man. Quite literally, Rick would get up in the middle of the night to help even the briefest acquaintance fix whatever problem had arisen. He was known for this so much, indeed, that neighbors that hadn’t even met him, yet, would come over to help in times of need, simply because the folks in the neighborhood spoke of and held him in such high regard.

In fact, even if you didn’t know Rick, personally, you may have experienced his work. If you have seen Winter Magic, the amazing Christmas light display in the north end of Kansas City, you’ve seen the work of Rick, as well as his wife, Janell, and their team. You may even have met them, as the wonderful ambassadors of Christmas and of Kansas City. Rick truly loved this town.

In the course of his engineering career, while at the Allis Plaza Hotel, he met his soulmate…the woman who would become his wife, Janell Diane Elder. They were married in the Count Basie Ballroom at that very hotel on October 31, 1998.

Rick is survived by his wife Janell and his children, son Justin and his wife Stephanie of Belton, Missouri, daughter Kathryn and her husband Nels of Olathe, Kansas, brother Philip and his wife Stella of Sun City, California, and brother Daniel of Grain Valley, Missouri. And we cannot forget his truly beloved grandchildren, Mariah, Savannah, Dylan, Braiden, Linkyn, Jaxon, and Lennon.

He is preceded in death by his parents, along with his sister, Cheryl Ferwalt.

A very special measure of gratitude goes from us to Crossroads Hospice and Palliative Care and Dr. Bryan C. Hughes for taking such wonderful care of Rick in his last days. Words cannot express the importance of your compassion and care.

Rick, we love you and will miss you…always.

Visitation will be 6-8PM, Monday, February 6 at Park Lawn Funeral Home, 8251 Hillcrest Rd., Kansas City, Missouri.  Funeral services will be 10AM, Tuesday, February 7 at Park Lawn Funeral Home; burial in Green Lawn Cemetery.

Visitation will be 6-8PM, Monday, February 6 at Park Lawn Funeral Home, 8251 Hillcrest Rd., Kansas City, Missouri.  Funeral services will be 10AM, Tuesday, February 7 at Park Lawn Funeral Home; burial in Green Lawn Cemetery.