Dr. Sherman Miles Dickson, 85 years old, of Milan, Missouri passed away Tuesday, November 24th, 2020.
Miles was born on a family farm West of Lemons, Missouri on January 21st, 1934 to James Clyde Dickson and Jessie Katherine (Woods) Dickson. He is preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Jo Frances (Jones) Dickson by eight days. They are survived by their children: Richard Kelly Dickson and his wife Ginger of Las Cruces, New Mexico; Lori Dickson Wiles and her husband Timothy of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Cindy Dickson of Milan, Missouri; John Patrick Dickson and his wife Michelle of Milan, Missouri.
They have ten grandchildren: Melody Truitt and her husband Elijah; Christopher Dickson and his partner Mindy; Sam Wiles and his partner Alexis; Aaron Herzberg and his partner Brooklyn; Zeke Allison and his wife Lauren; Hannah Wiles Anderson and her husband Alex; Lucas Allison; Reece Dickson; Katelin Dickson and her partner Kyle; Gracie Dickson. Additionally, they are blessed by several great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his son James Michael Dickson; his sister Donna (Dickson) Beal and brother in-law Fred Beal.
Miles grew up in Unionville, Missouri where he was a multi-talented high school student: playing on an undefeated football team, singing in the chorus, and playing trumpet in the band. After graduating at 17 years old, he attended the University of Missouri where he met Jo. While they were dating, he enlisted in the Army; training first in El Paso, Texas and next in Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri, where he proposed to Jo. He was then stationed in Japan, where he initially served as a medic and a nurse, but in the first of many instances that displayed his endless competence, he became responsible for running one of the military hospitals.
Two weeks after his return from Japan, Miles married Jo Frances Jones on August 26th, 1956 at Bethany Church, near the Dickson family farm west of Lemons, Missouri. He then entered the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program at the University of Missouri. After receiving his DVM, and a short time in Unionville with Dr. Owings, the family moved to Milan, Missouri where he opened the veterinary practice that eventually became Highland Veterinary Clinic. As the only veterinarian in the community for the first several years “Doc” eventually went to almost every farm in the county. He treated large and small animals with equal interest and expertise, making great friends along the way. He also raised his own red angus cattle and worked to maintain both that business and Highland Veterinary with great success until the week he died.
Miles and Jo became whole-hearted members of the community. Miles served on the Milan C-2 school board for several years, the United Missouri Bank board, and the board of Missouri Veterinarians. He also enjoyed many years singing tenor with the choir at the United Methodist Church.
Miles was a devoted father to his five children; Mike, Kelly, Lori, Cindy and Patrick. He was a regular attendee of all academic, music and sports events they were involved with at Milan C-2. The Dickson family farm provided many acres of wide-open spaces for playing, building forts and fishing. The kids helped with the family farm and would go with their Dad on vet calls. Miles also provided all of them with a great education in agriculture, biology, and life in general with time in the clinic.
He and Jo spent a ton of quality time with their grandkids, starting in 1984 when the oldest, Melody, was born continuing to Gracie, who was born in 2004. They attended countless sports games, plays, musicals, and concerts, and were present at nearly every high school and college graduation.
They also were able to travel later in life, the highlights being New Zealand, Australia, Alaska, New York City, and Mount Rushmore.
Miles was a great provider and cared about doing a good job. He was whip smart, charming and beloved. He liked to talk over breakfast with people in town and watch high school football. He loved his wife.
A visitation is scheduled for 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM, Saturday, December 5, 2020 with a service following at 2:00 PM at Schoene-Ruschmeier Funeral Home in Milan. Burial will follow at the Dickson Cemetery, North of Milan. Friends may come by the funeral home any time after 11:00 AM on Friday to pay their respects.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Dickson Cemetery.