Floyd "Tommy" Dickerson

Floyd “Tommy” Dickerson, 90, a lifelong resident of Henry County, passed away peacefully at home, Sunday, April 10th, 2016 after a courageous but short battle with cancer. He was born June 12, 1925 in New Castle, the son of Vernon and Marie Dickerson.

Tommy was part of a large hard working family and discovered his entrepreneurial spirit at an early age however, those aspirations were put on hold when he drafted into the Coast Guard in 1943. He had always told his mother that he was going to marry a New Yorker and that dream came true when, while stationed in Eaton’s Neck, Long Island, he met the love of his life, Jeanette Thompson, they later married on Christmas Eve 1944. He returned to New Castle to work for the family business, Dickerson Transfer and Auction, but with a growing family he decided to try his hand at factory work at the local Chrysler plant. After 13 years he realized that the factory life was not for him, and recognized his earlier ambitions to become his own boss. After many different endeavors and adventures he began Dickerson Portable Auto Crushers. The business became a success not only in Indiana but also in Ohio, Illinois, and Kentucky. He always did business by his word and a hand shake and become known in the recycling world as “Honest Tom”. In 1979, Tommy and Jeanette purchased the old Pat’s Dairy property which was the ideal location for both their growing business and family. They rebuilt the house with their family and his crew and to this day five generations gather on Sundays at “The Farm” to celebrate the two amazing people who fell in love.

He will be forever missed by his beloved wife Jeanette (Thompson) Dickerson. Children: Vernon (JoAnn) Dickerson, Elizabeth (Michael) Teague, Ruth Ann Raines, Rebecca Sidwell, and Sarah Dickerson. Grandchildren: Michelle Haggard, Christopher (Diana) Radtke, Angela (Bobby) Herron, Vernon Dickerson, Jr., Katrina Newby, Renee Sexton, Joshua Sidwell, Nicolle (Mark) Price, Lucas Griffin, Jessica (Murray) Tonchev. Great-grandchildren: Rachel (Adam) Dawson, Shelby Haggard, Jonathan Newby, Kelsie Sexton, Samantha Haggard, Michael Newby, Breanna Sexton, Caeden McClaughery, Taylor Radtke, Brayden Lowe Griffin, Tegan Herron, Corben Price, Zachary Sexton, Grayson Price, and Dean Griffin. Great-great grandchild: Chandler Dawson. Siblings: James (Janice) Dickerson, Ginny Lee, Mary (Richard) Dudley, and Linda (Berry) Salt. Sister-in-law Dorothy Windus and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family would like to give a very special “Thank you” to Jack Smith and Jason Hamby with Hospice.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Floyd Thomas Dickerson, Jr. at birth. Siblings: Ted (Ruth) Dickerson, Leroy (Mary Ellen) Dickerson, and Betty (John) Benson. Granddaughter, Kirsten Sidwell.

Services will be at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, April 14, 2016 at Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service in New Castle. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be given to the Henry County Hospice, 798 N. 16th St. New Castle, IN, 47362. Military rites will be conducted by the local American Legion/VFW and an active duty contingent from the United States Coast Guard. Condolences and memories of Tommy may be expressed at www.hinsey-brown.com