James Graves Dickens, 83, of Waco, passed away Thursday, June 5th, 2014, after a lengthy battle with cancer.
VISITATION: 4-6PM, Sunday, June 8th @ Lake Shore Funeral Home, 5201 Steinbeck Bend Dr, Waco 76708.
GRAVESIDE SERVICES: 10AM, Monday, June 9th @ Lorena Cemetery
James (also known as Grandpa by the folks at Uncle Dan’s BBQ) was born on March 31, 1931, to Clarence and Lela (Polk) Dickens in McLennan County. He and his siblings attended school in Lorena. He joined the Marine Corp in 1951, was stationed in San Diego for a time, and toured on the USS Iowa.
James later worked erecting electrical towers then became employed at Lochridge-Priest for many years doing lawn and maintenance service there. Since retirement from Lochridge-Priest, he loved working in his own yard, walking his dog (Cody), visiting various friends at Uncle Dan’s BBQ, KCEN-TV, Cedar Springs, and Walmart, along with feeding the neighborhood cats and bees. James attended Lakewood Christian Church where he met many wonderful friends.
James was preceded in death by his parents; all of his siblings, William, Mamie, Dorothy, Joe, Alice, Curtis, and an infant sibling; nephews, Doug Flanary and Ronnie Tomlinson; and niece, Linda Young.
He is survived by his best pet buddy, Cody; many nieces and nephews in the Waco area and in Florida, and many great nieces and nephews as well.
A special thank you to the wonderful people associated with Providence Hospice and to the many friends that have reached out by sending cards, visiting, calling, bringing food, and merely being there for James if he needed anything. He was truly blessed to have such support and to be there for him through his fight to the end of his earthly journey.
Memorials in memory of James may be made to Fuzzy Friends of Waco or to the Humane Society of Central Texas.
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Dear Tom, JoAnn, LaJuan and family, just wanted to let you know we love you and that you are all in our prayers. James was a true character. He gave his total love to his dogs throughout the years, I know he left Cody in good hands. You’ve got to admire someone who treats animals well. I’m thankful he had you by his side during the final stages of sickness. No one should be all alone. Again, love you all.
Tom and Joann sorry for your loss. I am thankful that James had ya’ll to take care of him.Yall are true blessing. God Bless you.
JoAnn
I am so sorry to hear about James he was a great person with a big heart.
We will miss talking to him and seeing him here at KCEN.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
All of James’s friends at KCEN-TV were saddened to hear the bad news of his passing. We loved to see James come to the studio to visit us and he never came emptied handed. If it wasn’t fruit and vegetables, it was a cake or cupcakes. When he got to sick and weak to come on his own, thank goodness JoAnn was there to bring him. We will remember him in our hearts as the wonderful friend he was to all of us.
We hope we brought a little happiness to him in his last years. I know he did that for us.
Will miss him with all my heart.
James was a compasionate loving man. everyone that met him loved him, he was very generous man who loved animals and worked relentlessly at our church on the outside grounds. May he rest in peace. He will be missed by everyone at Lakewood Christian Church.
We have only known Mr. James since we moved in across the street. We loved talking to him daily. My daughters loved walking with him and Cody. He brought joy and happiness to us. He will greatly be missed. We are truly blessed to have known Mr. James. Your family will be in our prayers.
We are so sad to hear of James’ passing but we also know he is not in pain anymore. We always looked for James and Cody walking on Ferndale and Wally & Toby loved their friends. We just said we sill looked out the window today thinking I’ll see him and Cody walking by. Our deepest sympathy to all his family and friends.
Peace and Prayers to all family and friends. Tammera Ryan~ on behalf of the staff and volunteers of Providence Hospice