Obituary for Donald Dean Dicks

Donald Dean Dicks of Plano, Iowa passed away on February 8, 2024 at 90 years of age at Taylor House Hospice ­­­­­­in Des Moines, Iowa after bravely facing the challenges of dementia for the last year of his life.

Donald was born on May 5, 1933, on the farm of his parents Samuel Truxton Dicks and Glennie Nadine (Scott) Dicks near Iconium, Iowa where he joined two older brothers, Paul and Pete Dicks. Growing up on his family’s farm instilled Don with a lifelong appreciation for hard work, animals and the outdoors. He graduated from Moravia High School in 1952. After working for a short time at the Morrell meat packing plant in Ottumwa, Iowa, Don enlisted in the Naval Air Force in January of 1953. He was stationed in Korea, Texas, Japan and California while serving as an Aviation Electronic Technician. Upon his honorable discharge in December of 1956, Donald used his naval electronics training to secure a job with Burroughs Corporation in Oakland, California where he serviced adding machines and, eventually, the earliest forms of digital computers. He remained at the forefront of the computer industry for the next 30 years working in what would become known as Silicon Valley, eventually serving as District Manager out of Burroughs’ San Francisco office from which he managed employees across the northern half of California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, and Alaska. His love for computers continued throughout his life. He was also a gifted mechanic who skillfully repaired everything from broken toys to vehicles. His shop was full of spare parts which he used for unique inventions such as a bear-proof chuck box the family took on every camping trip or a fire pit made from the lid of a hog-feeder.

Don married Joyce Carolee (Martin) Dicks on May 1, 1955, a marriage that lasted over 50 years until Joyce’s death in 2008.  As newlyweds, Don and Joyce lived on Alameda Naval Air Base. In 1958, they purchased a home in Fremont, California in which they raised two daughters and lived until 1996. Don kept his lawn in Fremont so beautifully manicured that people would stop to ask him for lawn care tips. He was active in the Ohlone Bowmen Archery Club, an avid tennis player, and often hiked with his dogs (Toby and then Bushrod) in the foothills of California. He enjoyed annual camping trips to fish for trout in the streams of Colorado and Oregon and took his family back to Iowa every summer to visit relatives. Upon retiring, Donald moved to Lake Rathbun, Iowa to be near family and to fish and hike; his favorite activities that he enjoyed well into his 80’s, until dementia impeded his active lifestyle.

Donald is survived by his daughters Stephanie Lynn Hall of Plano, Iowa, and Dawn Michelle Moore of Davis Oklahoma, as well as three grandchildren, Vesta Blaire Moore, Daniel Donald Wayne Hall and Jatin Truxton Moore and in-laws, nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his wife Joyce, his parents, brothers, and his two sons-in-law, Kurt Hall, and Robin Moore.

Donald will be sadly missed and will always hold a special place in the hearts of his family. At his request, no funeral or memorial service will be held. His ashes will be interred in Hillcrest Cemetery in Moravia, Iowa. The family will hold a private celebration of his life at his favorite fishing spot at a later date.  Memorial contributions can be made in Donald’s name to Furever Friends Rescue of Appanoose County at https://fureverfriends.info/donation