HANCOCK - Scott J. Dickson, 72, a resident of Hancock, passed away Thursday morning, November 19, 2009, at the Franklin House of Portage Pointe where he had been a resident patient for the past three days.
He was born on October 23, 1937, in Chicago, Ill., a son of the late Scott and Mayme (Oikarinen) Dickson. As a young child, he moved to Hancock and graduated from Hancock High School with the Class of 1955. He then attended Suomi College and graduated from Northern Michigan University.
Scott worked various jobs while he attended school, such as a theater usher and radio announcer for WMPL where he announced the assassination of President Kennedy. He was a car salesman, foundry worker and police officer for the City of Hancock. Following college, Scott worked for the Department of Social Services (now the Department of Human Services), retiring after 32 years. He was the Director of Houghton & Keweenaw Counties and had administrative responsibility for the Houghton County Medical Care Facility when he retired.
Mr. Dickson was an active member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church of Hancock where he was a past president of the church council; had served on the endowment committee of the church and presently, was on the finance committee. He also served as an usher for the early Sunday morning service.
Community involvement and volunteerism were important to Scott. He served on the Salvation Army Board, Teaching Family Homes Board, the Rice Memorial Clinic Foundation Board, Quincy Mine Hoist Association Board, BHK Head Start Advisory Board, the Houghton County Human Services Board, and Finlandia University Alumni Board. He was also a past member and chairperson for the Hancock Planning Commission, a member of the Michigan County Social Service Association, a member of various Masonic organizations and helped organize and served as President of TRIAD. Scott also enjoyed MTU hockey and basketball and was active with the Michigan Tech Huskies Club and Blueline Club.
He was an active member of the Hancock Volunteer Fire Department for over 40 years, where he had served as chief and presently, was the secretary/treasurer for the department. Mr. Dickson had also been awarded the Copper Country Fire Fighter of the Year by the Copper Country Fire Fighters Association.
On December 28, 1966, he was united in marriage to the former Martha Patterson.
Preceding him in death were his son, Scott David; parents; half-sisters, Marguerite Heckman and Evelyn Collins; and half-brothers, Clarence and Maxwell Dickson.
Surviving are his wife, Martha Dickson of Hancock; children, Deborah Dickson of Hancock, Michael (Nina) Dickson of Maryland; granddaughter, Izabella Dickson; brother-in-law, Frank (Ann) Patterson; sister-in-law, Anne (William) Graff; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral services for Scott will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, November 23, 2009, at the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Hancock with Rev. Jimalee Jones to officiate.
Friends may call on Sunday, November 22, from 4-7 p.m. at the Memorial Chapel Funeral Home in Hancock and on Monday from 10 a.m. until time of services at the church.
In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, the family suggests that memorials be given to Gloria Dei Lutheran Church or Finlandia University.
To view Scott's obituary or to send condolences to the family, please visit www.memorialchapel.net.
The Memorial Chapel Funeral Home in Hancock is assisting the family with the arrangements.