Homer Dickerson

Homer Dickerson passed away Nov. 6, 2015. He was born Sept. 26, 1926 to Lady Faye and Hollis Dickerson. Homer was raised as one of seven siblings in Ewan, Wash. As a child he hitched rides on combines and wheat trucks going through town staying at one place or another working on whatever he could. His favorite thing to do when he wasn't in school was to grab a pole and go fishing at Rock Lake.

Homer's father took him to sign up for the armed services at age 16 where he chose the U.S. Navy. Right after graduation from Ewan High School, Homer was shipped out to ports in the Pacific Ocean, including Hawaii and China.

When his tour of duty ended, he returned home to work for Whitman County, running road graders and snowplows. After moving to Cheney he worked for the Turnbull Wildlife Refuge building fences, and then Edgett Brothers Hardware where he began full time plumbing.

Homer and Joan married in 1957. Homer continued to work for Jarms Hardware and then began his own business Homer Dickerson Plumbing. Homer's son Dana, who was born in 1973, and granddaughter Athena, who was born in 1997, were a source of joy and happiness in his life, including two trips to Disneyland and San Diego on Amtrak.

The Cheney community became Homer's family and the feeling was mutual. Homer had an ongoing smile and enjoyed the good-natured teasing of everyone around him, including friends and strangers alike. Homer loved convertibles and old cars and brought many of them home from surrounding rural areas with the intention of restoring them all when he retired.

Homer retired in 2003 at the age of 77. He parked the familiar red plumbing truck in the yard, complete with tools and parts and didn't move it for the next three years.

Zip's became the favorite spot with the coffee crowd on a daily basis. He spent time working on the RV Park and restoring the Tyler Store, which was open for business for three years, finally closing when it was unable to support itself.

When Homer's health began to fail, a good friend from Zip's, Lee Beedle, set out to support Homer in many ways. He brought Homer a bunch of tools, bolts and plumbing to sort so he could work at what he enjoyed. The family is grateful to Lee for undertaking and completing many projects, which Homer could no longer do.

Homer is survived by his wife Joan, son Dana, granddaughter Athena and many nieces, nephews and other relatives. Graveside services were held Nov. 12. We love you beyond words, Homer, you'll always be with us. Visit the online guest book at cheneyfuneral.com.