The Rev. Dr. John Kermit Dickinson, Jr.

The Rev. Dr. John Kermit Dickinson, Jr., died on Friday at a local area hospital. He was 81. Dr. Dickinson was born in Atlanta, Georgia on October 17, 1936, the son of John Kermit Dickinson, Sr. and Margaret Dickinson (née Cooper). He was a graduate of Russell High School (East Point, Ga., 1954), the University of West Florida (B.S., 1972), Emory University (M.Div., 1975) and Oral Roberts University (D.Min., 1986). He served in the United States Navy as a link flight instructor at Pensacola NAS from 1954 to 1957. He then worked for Monsanto. Dr. Dickinson was called to full-time ministry in 1971 and ordained as an Elder of the United Methodist Church in 1976. He was an Eagle Scout. Known affectionately as “Brother John,” he served as the pastor of Gulf Shores, Farm Hill-New Hope, Mt. Zion (Carroll, Ga.), Byrneville-Mt. Carmel, Ensley, Georgiana, East Brewton First, Christ Church (Milton), Asbury (Montgomery), Geneva First, Summit Park (Pensacola), and Chipley First churches. Dr. Dickinson also chaired or served on various church boards and agencies of the Alabama-Northwest Florida Conference. He retired from full-time ministry in 2000. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Phyllis Dickinson (née Jones), brother David Michael Dickinson (Ely), sister Susan Margaret Wiederhold (Dusty), children John (Judy) and Joy Smith (Ed), six grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents and granddaughter, Charis Joy Dickinson. Services will be held at Pine Forest United Methodist Church, 2800 Wilde Lake Boulevard, Pensacola, on Friday, January 5, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. The family will receive visitors there at 1:00 p.m. Rev. Mark Dees, pastor of Opp First United Methodist Church will officiate. Assisting in worship will be Rev. Danny Gilroy, pastor of Wesley United Methodist Church, and Rev. Joel Treick, pastor of Pinewoods Presbyterian Church. Rhett Jones, Rhett Dickinson, Caleb Smith, Joshua Smith, Robert Hinson and Matthew Fugett will serve as pallbearers. Committal will be at Barrancas National Cemetery on Tuesday, January 9, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. Donations to the Wesley United Methodist Church building fund or the America Cancer Society are requested in lieu of flowers. And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!” FAITH CHAPEL FUNERAL HOME NORTH, 1000 S. Hwy 29, Cantonment, FL is entrusted with the arrangements. You may express your condolences online at www.fcfhs.com

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The Rev. Dr. John Kermit Dickinson, Jr.

October 17, 1936 - December 29, 2017