Donald Robert Dickerson

Don Dickerson, age 65 of Austin, TX peacefully slipped the bonds of this world with loving family tearfully at his side Friday, December 27, 2024 following severe head injuries sustained in a catastrophic fall late Christmas afternoon. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, son, brother and uncle much beloved by his family and friends.

Don was born August 8, 1959 in Atlanta, GA, the son of Charles and Ila Dickerson, and the youngest of their four children. He and his wife Connie lived in Stone Mountain, GA until Don’s retirement from Delta Airlines in 2020 when they moved to Austin, TX to be closer to family and grandchildren. Don was a proud graduate of Shamrock High School in Decatur, GA (Class of 1977), and always viewed himself a lifelong Shamrock High Dragon. He seldom missed a Shamrock High Class of 1977 class reunion, eagerly anticipating renewing the many friendships he enjoyed with his classmates.

After working part-time for Republic Airlines’ Atlanta operation in 1981, Don began what became a long, satisfying career in aviation when he accepted a full-time position at Republic’s corporate headquarters moving to Minneapolis, MN in January 1982. Subsequent years saw Northwest Airlines acquire Republic Airlines, then Delta Airlines absorbing Northwest Airlines. On becoming a Delta Airlines employee, Don achieved his longtime desire to return home to Georgia when his former Northwest Airlines operation group was transferred to Delta Airlines’ main operations office in Atlanta during 2008. Upon his return to Georgia, Don and his wife Connie settled in the Stone Mountain area to once again be close to the family he held so dear. Don was a conscientious, knowledgeable and reliable employee who was well liked and valued by his co-workers and others within the Republic/Northwest/Delta Airline community.

Don’s passion and loyalty toward his family and friends were clearly evident to all of us privileged to know Don. He was a generous person who took enormous pleasure in being around family and friends, and was always ready to help whenever anyone had a need. Don was also a person of myriad interests ranging from books and movies to history, current events, government, guns and everything in between.

Don was never at a loss for words. He was a natural raconteur (a trait he shared with our Dad), which along with his disarmingly good nature, often left those in his company entertained and smiling after an encounter. Combined with his honesty and delightfully imaginative sense of humor all of these attributes added to his likeability, making him comfortable and welcome to be around.

He was an avid reader (a trait he shared with our Mother), and gladly conveyed his knowledge (and opinions) in his conversations with family, friends and strangers. As many who knew Don can probably attest, his recall at times seemed encyclopedic and his accounts on topics of any kind expert. When faced with speaking to someone on a subject or item he was unfamiliar or only partially familiar with he was undeterred. His penchant for conversation along with his broad knowledge on a host of matters allowed him to still sound knowledgeable and expert in those situations which simply added to his charm to all of us who knew him.

He was a profoundly loving and devoted husband to his wife Connie. He embraced not only her, but her family as well considering her adult children (Jennifer, Danny and Scott) from her previous marriage and their children (Juliet, Liam, Iris and Theodore) as his own and loved them as such.

He dearly loved his parents, siblings and all our family (immediate and extended), and all of us readily returned that love. Don’s life was a true gift to us, one for which we are forever thankful.

Don will be sorely missed. He was such an inviting, colorful presence in our lives (family and friends), that his loss leaves our lives certainly more dour and bland. Don accepted Christ and was baptized on April 9, 1972. Because of that decision, though his light on earth is now dimmed, a new light is now shining in Heaven reunited with his parents and other family and friends, embracing and lovingly regaling them once more with tales and humorous stories. We were blessed to have Don in our lives, and just wish his departure had not been so sudden and soon. We had so much more to say to you, Don.

Don was predeceased by his parents Charles and Ila Dickerson. Don is survived by his wife and life love Connie; step children Jennifer (Eric) Olfano, Danny (Monica) Browne, Scott (Vanesa) Browne; step grandchildren Juliet Olfano, Liam Browne, Iris Browne, Theodore Browne; sister Peggy (Carter) Sammon, brothers David (Lynn) Dickerson, Chuck Dickerson; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Don was cremated. Whether a funeral or memorial service, if any, will be held is yet to be determined. If you would like to remember Don through a donation, a donation in memory of Don to the charity or organization of your choice would be welcome. Based on Don’s past preferences, some organizations the family suggests donations in memoriam be made include Wounded Warrior Project, Tunnel To Towers Foundation, Disabled American Veterans and Samaritan’s Purse.