Ricky Dickinson

Ricky R. "Rick" Dickinson, 55, of Houstonia passed away Tuesday, March 7, 2017 at Rest Haven, Sedalia. He was born on June 25, 1961 in San Diego, CA the son of Roger Dickinson (Luana) who resides in Santee, CA and Barbara Farris, who resides in Sedalia.

On February 20, 1981 in Sedalia he was united in marriage to Joy Eckhoff who resides of the home.

Rick worked for Rural Electric Association from 1983 until 1999 when he went to work for Pittsburgh Corning. He then started to work for KCP&L in 2001 where he is currently employed.

Rick served his country honorably in the Missouri Army National Guard. LTC Dickinson has spent over 38 years in uniform. He enlisted with the MOARNG in 1979, he served as Enlisted Soldier, achieving the rank of SSG in 1987. He graduated Officer Candidate School in 1986 and commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1987 where he was assigned as Platoon Leader, 1/128th Field Artillery Battalion. He served as a Signal Corps Officer from 1989-2015 achieving the rank of LTC, he served with the 1/128th Field Artillery, 135th Signal BDE, 35th Support Command, 20th Aviation Brigade, 135th Aviation Brigade, 35th Engineer Brigade and Joint Force Headquarters (HHD-JFHQ). LTC Dickinson mobilized in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from September 21, 2005 until January 14, 2007. During this deployment, he served as LTC, S6 officer for 3rd Battalion 135th Aviation. He reverted to an enlisted status as a SSG in 2015 and was assigned to HHD-JFHQ. He retired March 3, 2017.

MILITARY AWARDS: MERITORIOUS SERVICE MEDAL, ARMY COMMENDATION MEDAL, ARMY ACHIEVEMENT MEDAL, ARMY RESERVE COMPONENT ACHIEVEMENT MEDAL, NATIONAL DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL, IRAQ CAMPAIGN SERVICE MEDAL, GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM SERVICE MEDAL, ARMED FORCES RESERVE MEDAL – M DEVICE, SILVER HOURGLASS, OVERSEAS SERVICE RIBBON, ARMY SERVICE RIBBON, ARMY RESERVE COMPONENT, OVERSEAS TRAINING RIBBON, MERTIORIUS UNIT CITATION, AND SAINT BARBARA AWARD. In addition to his wife Joy and parents, he is also survived by two sons, Brian Dickinson (Rose) of Sedalia and Chris Dickinson (Jennifer) of Marshall; a daughter, Danielle Schroeder (Andrew) of LaMonte; a brother, Christian Farris of Lee's Summit; three sisters, Dena Stockstill of Sedalia, Deserea Guirior Henry (John) of Sedalia, and Charissa Farris Hailey of St. Joseph; six grandchildren, Elliott, Brooklyn, Londyn, Olivia, Bentley and one on the way.

He was preceded in death by a nephew, Kylan Farris.

Funeral service will be held at 9:00 a.m. Friday, March 10, 2017 at the Celebration Center in Sedalia, MO, with Rev. Eddie Brown officiating.

Family visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Thursday, March 9, 2017 at the Celebration Center.

Burial will be at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery, Higginsville. Full military honors will be conducted by VFW Post #2591 and the Warrensburg, Missouri Army National Guard.

Pallbearers will be Christian Farris, Brian Dickinson, Chris Dickinson, Andrew Schroeder, Robbie Stevenson, and Andy Moulton.

Honorary bearers will be Kansas City Power and Light.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Smith-Cotton JROTC in care of Rea Funeral Chapel.