Charles Robert Dickenson

Judge Charles Robert (Bob) Dickenson, 73, died Monday, August 14, 2006 at his home. A memorial service, with Reverend Greg Kennedy and Reverend Bill Libby will be at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, August 17, 2006 in St. Paul United Methodist Church. Burial will be Friday, August 18, 2006 in the Texas State Cemetery in Austin, Texas under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. There will be a visitation from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 16, at the Funeral Home. Bob was born in Coleman County, Texas on April 25, 1933 to Curtis Drew and Mary Jones Dickenson. He graduated from Stamford High School in 1951; graduated with honors from Texas Tech in 1954, and was awarded a full academic scholarship to attend Southern Methodist University School of Law. He became a licensed attorney in 1957 before graduating with a Juris Doctor Degree. He practiced law in Dallas for two years and then taught at Baylor University School of Law in Waco for one year. He moved to Abilene in 1960 and practiced here until 1978 when he was elected to serve on the Court of Appeals for a 23 county area which includes Abilene and Eastland. He was unopposed for reelection in 1980, 1986, and 1992. After serving more than 20 years on the Eastland Court of Appeals, he retired and sat by assignment as a Senior Judge until the time of his death. Bob married Joan Brine in 1972 and the couple made Abilene their home. He was a member of the St. Paul United Methodist Church of Abilene, The Sons of the American Revolution, The Sons of the Republic of Texas, the Sierra Club, and the State Bar of Texas. He was past Chair of the Judicial Section of the State Bar of Texas and of the Texas Center for the Judiciary. He was also past President of the Abilene Zoological Society. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Nancy Kay Meeks and a brother in law, Jack Brine. Survivors include: his wife, Joan Dickenson of Abilene; a son, James Robert Dickenson of San Angelo; brothers in law, Larry Meeks and wife Linda of Stevenville, Texas, William Brine and wife Eleanor of Poulsbo, Washington, and Donald Brine of Long Beach, California; several nieces and nephews, including Karen Fox of San Antonio, Texas and Mike Meeks of Lubbock, Texas, along with numerous cousins. Pallbearers are: Judge Austin McCloud, Judge Terry McCall, Judge Jim Wright, Judge Rick Strange, Judge Raleigh Brown, Mr. Henry Doscher, Mr. John Bailey, and Mr. Charles E. "Chuck" Erwin. Should friends desire, memorials may be made to St. Paul United Methodist Church, 525 Beech St. Abilene, Texas 79601, or a charity of the donor's choice.