Robert "Bob" Dickson

Robert Malcolm "Bob" Dickson, Jr, passed away peacefully at home in Bethel Springs, Tennessee on Tuesday, May 18, 2021. Bob was born January, 8, 1932 in Leakesville, Mississippi. He was the second child of Robert Malcolm Dickson, Sr., and Myrtis Elizabeth Pool Dickson.

Bob grew up in Bethel Springs and attended Bethel Springs High School. He enlisted in the US Army during the Korean War and served as a radio operator in military intelligence in the Philippines. He left the Army in 1954 with the rank of Staff Sergeant.

Bob earned a Bachelor's degree from Memphis State University after the Army. Bob married Rose Wilkerson in 1955; they were married for 15 years and had one daughter, Ange. In 1971, Bob married Emi Polley Randolph and was blessed with a blended family with Craig, Kay and Jay.

Bob's calling was in the mental health field. In 1969 Bob was appointed head of the Mental Health and Mental Retardation Center in Midland, TX where he led the center for almost 20 years. Texas Governor Bill Clements appointed Bob Executive Director of the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse. He left the Commission to pursue a new technology, Neurofeedback, for addiction treatment. He pursued research and private practice in Neurofeedback, earning his Master's Degree from University of North Texas and also serving as adjunct faculty there. He published studies on the efficacy of Neurofeedback for addiction treatment under the auspices of the Southwest Health Technology Foundation in Houston, Texas.

Bob enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing, reading, writing, and playing harmonica. He was an enthusiastic storyteller, and loved practical jokes. He served as an elder in the New Salem Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

Bob was preceded by his wife, Emi; elder sister, Myrtis Pool Dickson; son, Jay Kent. He is survived by sisters Anna Dickson, Agnes Baker, and Patricia Bond; children, Ange Finn (David); Craig Randolph (Charmane); and Kay Paez (J.D.), and his loving grandchildren Charles Randolph, Ashley Cade, Emily Knight, Dareth Finn, and Vanessa West and their spouses, and great-grandchildren. He is also survived by loving nephews Steve McIntyre (Connie), Greg McIntyre (Sherry), and Michael Dickson.

The family is grateful to Dr. Brian Fullwood and his staff at Prime Care, and the staffs of Jackson-Madison County General Hospital and Avalon Hospice for their care.

Services will be held on Friday, May 21 at 2 PM at New Salem Cumberland Presbyterian Church on New Salem Road in Bethel Springs, TN. Interment will follow at New Salem Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to New Salem Cumberland Presbyterian Church Cemetery Fund, 350 Wilson Lane, Bethel Springs, TN 38315; American Legion Post 162, 5184 Sulphur Springs Rd, Selmer, TN, 38375; or the charity of your choice.