John Dickens

John William Dickens

John William Dickens, 61, of Harrisonburg, passed away Friday, Oct. 1, 2010.

Born Sept. 25, 1949, he was the son of Edgar and Elberta Dickens of Leesburg.

Mr. Dickens received bachelor's and master's degrees from Virginia Tech and a doctorate from Ohio State. He taught agricultural education for three years at the University of Kentucky. In 1981, he moved with his family to Harrisonburg and taught at James Madison University for the next 20 years. During that time, he was active in the Beginning Teacher Assistance Program and the Skyline Literacy Program.

He was a longtime member of Harrisonburg Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon, a Sunday school teacher and church moderator.

Mr. Dickens was an avid and adventurous fisherman, a voracious reader and a master of crossword puzzles. He cherished the annual summer vacations he spent with his family and with the Sprinkel and Bugg families, including the last 25 years at Holden Beach, N.C.

He was, most of all, a devoted husband and a doting father.

He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Pat Dickens, daughter, Elizabeth, and son-in-law, Derek Turner, of La Plata, Md., and daughter, Caroline Dickens, of Harrisonburg. He is also survived by brother, Edgar, and sister-in-law, Mary Dickens, of Winchester, sister, Edna, and brother-in-law, Earskon Myers, of Brunswick, Md., sister, Carol Lux, of Powhatan, and sister-in-law, Jean Covington, of Prospect.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brother, Carl Dickens, of Texas, in-laws Henry and Ruby Covington, of Hixburg, and brothers-in-law Eddie Covington and Henry Earl Covington, both of Hixburg.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2010, at Harrisonburg Baptist Church, with the Rev. Jack Mercer officiating. A reception will follow in the fellowship hall. A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2010, at the Swan family cemetery in Hixburg.

Robinson Funeral Home is handling arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the following: Harrisonburg Baptist Church, Building Fund, 501 South Main St., Harrisonburg, VA 22801; Harrisonburg Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 1447, Harrisonburg, VA 22803; and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, 1866C 323 East Market St., Harrisonburg, VA 22801.