Kenneth Andrew Dickinson
Kenneth Andrew Dickinson passed away peacefully on Sunday morning, February 11th, 2024, at the age of 79, while surrounded by his loving family.
Ken was born in New York City to Kenneth Dickinson and Sarah Barrus (Kapoosian). He shared nothing but fond memories and great stories about his childhood in New York. He attended Eastchester High School and was a member of the Class of 1962.
After high school, Ken joined the Unites States Air Force, and was assigned as a jet mechanic on the F-104 “Starfighter” aircraft, stationed at George Air Force Base in Victorville, California. In 1965, Ken served at the Danang Air Base in Vietnam, as a crew chief for a “Starfighter” aircraft. He also spent time in Thailand and Seville, Spain.
While at George AFB, Ken met the love of his life, Sandi, while attending a March of Dimes dance in San Bernardino, CA. They married in July of 1964 and have never been apart since.
After being discharged from the Air Force in 1966, Ken and Sandi moved to New York to continue their life together. Ken worked two jobs for many years to support his young family, as both a service station attendant and industrial cleaning supplies salesman. He began his career in the auto parts industry in 1969, working for NAPA Auto Parts in Piscataway, New Jersey. In 1971, Ken was hired to manage a distribution warehouse for Big “A” Auto Parts in Winchester, Virginia. This is where he began his rise through the corporate ranks at Big “A”.
Ken and his family moved to Miami, Florida in 1973 to run and manage the Big “A” southeastern regional distribution center. His overwhelming success in this role earned him the praise and recognition of the corporate staff in Houston, TX., and led to his recruitment to join this corporate team. In the midst of negotiations, and while driving home from a meeting, though, the song “The Cat’s in the Cradle” by Harry Chapin played on the radio. This was a defining moment for Ken as he realized that the corporate life would take away from his time with his family.
Soon after, he and Sandi made the decision to leave the corporate life to realize their dream of owning their own business. They purchased a small and struggling Big “A” auto parts store in Waynesboro, Virginia and settled there. Renaming the business, “Autoproducts, Inc.” in 1976, Ken owned and operated this Big “A” store until 1987. Within one year of opening, the store was one of the top producing stores in both Waynesboro and for Big “A” Auto Parts as a whole.
After selling his business, Ken found his true calling as a salesman for Bowman Distribution. He did this until he retired at the age of 65.
Racing and motorsports were always a huge part of Ken’s life. In his early years, he drove two four-wheel drive sand dragsters named Locomotion and Locomotion II to championship status. He later became involved with the Monster Truck racing family as a beloved and respected track announcer, where he became known simply as the “’Nouncer”. These were truly among the best years of his life.
Ken genuinely loved people. He never met a stranger, only a new friend. And you were his friend for life.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents and a nephew Graham Dickinson.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years Sandi, four children, Ken, Jr., (wife, Lorinda) of Port Orchard, Washington, Jim (wife, Chandra) of Mason, Tennessee, Kim Aldrich (husband, Chuck) of Asheboro, North Carolina, and Suzie Floyd (husband, Marco), of Lyndhurst. He also has 14 grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Suzanne Dickinson (husband, Stan) of Stuart, Florida and niece Sarah McCain (husband, Ryan) of West Palm Beach, Florida and two grand nieces.
Our family will host a Celebration of Life for Ken on Saturday May 4, 2024 from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. at the Waynesboro Moose Lodge #1309, 481 Hopeman Parkway, Waynesboro, VA 22980.
Until then, because Dad was such a huge Jimmy Buffet fan, we would like to close with one of his favorite quotes:
“Bubbles Up. They will point you towards home no matter how deep or how far you roam. They will show you the surface, the plot, and the purpose. So, when the journey gets long, just know that you are loved. There is light up above and the joy is always enough. Bubbles Up.” - Jimmy Buffett.
Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory, 230 Frontier Drive, Staunton is in charge of his arrangements.
