HENRY HOPKINS "HOP" DICKENSON

HENRY HOPKINS "HOP" DICKENSON Henry Hopkins "Hop" Dickenson passed away peacefully at his home, with his family by his side on Dec. 24, 2013. His death followed an 18- month battle with cancer. He was preceded in death by his infant son, Samuel McClure Dickenson, and his parents, Henry and Margaret Dickenson. He is survived by his wife, Polly McClure Dickenson. Also, his son, Hank, daughter-in-law, Missy and grandsons, Dan and Joe, of Denton, Texas; his sister, Kathryn Johnson, brother and sister-in-law, Charles and Virginia Dickenson, all of Lebanon, Va.; brother-in-law, Fin McClure and his wife Sibley, brother-in-law, J.A. "Mac" McClure, all of Staunton, Va.; six dearly loved nieces and nephews and 11 great nieces and nephews. He was a graduate of Virginia Tech. He served two years in the Army in Germany. He was employed by the American Hereford Association for 38 years, 24 as chief executive officer. During his career, he traveled to 36 countries. Considered the originator of Certified Hereford Beef, he was regarded as a beef association trail blazer. He was a driving force in bringing the two populations of Hereford people and the cattle they raise together for the good of the industry. He was responsible for introducing total performance recording. He served on the National Livestock Meat Board, Agricultural Hall of Fame, American Royal Board of Directors, Past President of the U.S. Beef Breeds Council, Past President of the National Society of Livestock Records, and was inducted in to the Hereford Hall of Merit. He was a member of Village Presbyterian Church. The greatest loves of his life were his family, his many friends, music, Virginia Tech football, North Texas football, the Kansas City Royals and the Kansas City Chiefs. A celebration of his life will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7, at Village Presbyterian Church, followed by a reception at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to Kansas City Hospice, 10100 W. 87th Street, Suite 100, Overland Park, KS 66212 or Village Presbyterian Church, 6641 Mission Road, Prairie Village, KS 66208. Cremation Society of Kansas & Missouri, www.kccremation.com