Luke Hayes Dicks Jr.

On this past Tuesday, December 5, 2023, just as the new day began, Luke Hayes Dicks, Jr. was
beckoned, called home to be with the Lord.
Luke, affectionately known as Bonnie to many, was born on August 4, 1933 to the late Luke H.
Dicks, Sr. and Eloise Graham in Florence County, SC. He was further preceded in death as
follows: Brothers—Ross Roland Dicks, Fred Hayes Dixon, and Jack Hayes Dixon. He is survived
by: Wife—Ada Elizabeth Johnson Dicks; Sons—Dale Anthony Dicks (Hedgesville, WV) and
Wayne Erwin Dicks (Lake City, SC); Daughters—Brigina Dicks-Woolridge (Husband—Arthur
Woolridge) of Florence, SC and Ovetus H. McMillian (Husband—Eric McMillian) of Birmingham,
AL; Grandchildren—Dale Anthony Dicks II, Deanna Michelle Dicks, Shana Ashley Dicks, Ayanna
Woolridge, Tarvares J. McMillian, and Erica N. McMillian; Great Grandchildren—Trinity Tamar
Dicks and Teshia A. Houser; and Siblings—Dexter Charles Dixon (Florence, SC), Elizabeth
Chatman (Boston, MA), and Yvette Gamble (Lake City, SC).
Luke joined the U.S. Air Force, on the Buddy Plan with close relatives and friends, upon leaving
high school, without graduating, at 16 (he would later get his GED). He did basic training at
Lackland AFB in San Antonio, TX and went on to work as an Air Operations Analyst/Technician
in both Tactical Air Command (TAC) and Strategical Air Command (SAC) across the U.S.
(INCONUS) and globally (OCONUS). He served at such duty stations/air force bases as Shaw AFB,
Seymour Johnson, Pope, Altus, and McConnell (INCONUS); and did unaccompanied tours in
such OCONUS locations as Thailand, South Korea, and Japan. He also did at least one tour of
duty in Alaska. In the Air Force, Luke found his niche and a place where he could work hard,
apply his superior acumen, and excel; and as has been true for so many others before and after
him, the Air Force served as a bridge, a catalyst to transcend from a life of truly meager
beginnings to one he could never have imagined as a little boy growing up in Lake City, SC. Luke
completed a 26-year career in the U. S. Air Force and reached the rank of Master Sergeant (E-7),
retiring from Andrews Air Force Base in 1977.
Following the Air Force, Luke spent a few years honing his skills and acquiring certifications in
Heating and Cooling System basics. With an impressive Air Force career behind him and these
new technical skills, he found a second career with Farm Home Association, part of the
Department of Agriculture, as a Civilian Employee or Civil Servant. This career saw Luke move
up the ranks quickly and become an integral part of Farm Home Association in the state of
South Carolina; he became a Loan Officer (GS-12) and ran several offices across SC, from
Georgetown, SC in the low country to Cheraw, SC in the Piedmont, and areas in between, such
as Kingstree in the Pee Dee region. Just like his Air Force career, Luke was most proud of his
experience and accomplishments with Farm Home Association and the Department of
Agriculture, and worked there for 20-plus years before retiring. Luke became a Realtor for a
brief period with Kirby Realty following this, his second retirement.
Luke Dicks was a great father, patriot, and member of his community. He served diligently for
years as a consistent tither and leader at Wesley United Methodist Church, in Lake City, SC

where he was known to be a stellar steward and overseer of the church’s monetary and other
resources. Brother Dicks was also a devout member of Lake City Elks Lodge #1680 of the
Improved Benevolent Protective Order of Elks of the World, Inc.; this relationship facilitated his
personal self-gratification need for doing good works and aiding his community, and he truly
enjoyed the camaraderie and bonding such participation afforded. Luke’s military and civilian
careers and life were marked by constant efforts of personal sacrifice and commitment, and he
provided for his family in such a way that they never wanted for anything. He was also known
to be a very kind and generous man outside his family and helped many people. In summary,
Luke H. Dicks, Jr. marched to his own beat; he was a humble and practical man who had high
standards, lived within his means, and encouraged his family and others to do the same. He
loved and was loved. He leaves an indelible mark on this world and will be sorely missed. We
LOVE YOU Dad, and know you are going to be with the LORD. Save us a spot, as we know we
will see you again in a much better place. Until then!!

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