Harry H. Dickson

1920 - 2017

Harry Hodges Dickson was born in Philadelphia, PA, March 7, 1920, to George Louis Dickson and Alma Louise Hodges. Harry's namesake was his grandfather, General Harry Hodges. General Hodges was responsible for much of the design and building of the Panama Canal. In 1938, Harry graduated from Taft Academy in Connecticut. He then attended UCLA and UC Davis, earning a Masters degree in Horticulture. He enlisted in the Army Air Corp in 1942 and served during World War ll, Korea, and Vietnam. After 30 years, he achieved the rank of colonel and was Vice-Commander of Minot Air Force Base. Harry married Majorie Mussellwhite in April 1944. After retiring from the military, he & his family moved to Albuquerque, NM, where Harry became a plant manager at GTE Lenkurt. Harry retired for a second time after 12 years with Lenkurt. On January 1, 1985, Harry married Elaine Donnelly. They operated a bed & breakfast for 17 years in Sandwich on Cape Cod. After retiring for a third time, Harry and Elaine returned to Albuquerque. Harry and Elaine shared 33 loving years together. All who knew them believed they were true soulmates. Harry never slowed down, even until the last months of his life. He loved traveling in the U.S. and abroad, gardening, and cooking gourmet meals. Most of all he loved spending time with his family. Harry touched many in his life with his eternal optimism and generosity. He was a true patriarch in every sense of the word. He will be missed by his family & friends, but never forgotten. Harry was preceded in death by his daughter Nancy Marie Turanski. Harry is survived by his wife Elaine and her children (Bill, Laura, Jack, Carolyn); his daughter Antionette (Robert) Smith and son Harry Hodges Dickson Jr. of Albuquerque; daughter Catherine Ann (Philip) Reid of Chandler, AZ; 9 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren.