Vernon Leroy Dickinson Sr.

Vernon "Slug" Leroy Dickinson, Sr., a longtime resident of Mobile, Alabama passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 5, 2025. Vernon was 89 years young. He was born on November 4, 1935, in St. Augustine, Florida. He was a 1954 graduate of Ketterlinus High School in St. Augustine, Florida, where he met his late wife in the ninth grade. He and his wife, Jay, were married for 70 years.

Captain Vernon was a commercial fisherman for most of his life. He also was a captain on oil vessels for many years. Being on the water was his passion and he traveled the world by sea.

Additionally, he worked at Huntington Ingalls Shipbuilding for nearly 30 years; he retired at the early age of 75. His work ethic and his precision for detail was greatly admired by all who knew him.
He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Johnnie "Jay" Mae Dickinson. His parents, Edna and Earl Dickinson; brother, Randall Dickinson (Diane); sisters, Caroline Kittles and Sharon Auld; son, Vernon Dickinson, Jr.; daughter, baby Dickinson.

Vernon is survived by his sister, Eileen Riva (Roger); children, Denise LaForce (Cecil), William Dickinson (Joanie), Natalie Dickinson; grandchildren, Granada LaForce, Alicia LaForce, Cody Dickinson, Cory Dickinson (Julieanne), Chloe Dickinson; great-grandchildren, Madisyn Vallely, Tucker Vallely, Olivia LaForce, Raney Shields and Ava LaForce; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.

The family will receive friends from 11 A.M. until 12 Noon on Monday, October 13, 2025, at Mobile Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, 6040 Three Notch Road, Mobile, Alabama, 36619. Followed by a chapel service at 12 Noon at Mobile Memorial Gardens with interment at Oddfellow's Cemetery in Bayou La Batre, Alabama.