Jackie Dickens

Jackie Uriah Dickens was born on February 9, 1937 in Dennard, Arkansas to Charles and Helen Dickens.  He entered heavens gates to rope with the angels on October 9, 2019 at the age of 82 at his home in Hobbs, New Mexico surround by his family.  Jack was a lifetime cowboy and horseman who was more at home horseback with a rope in his hand than anywhere else in this world.  He had a quick wit and a dry sense of humor, but no matter what you always knew where you stood with him.

Jack met and married the love of his life, Alice Fay Norris on September 3, 1968.  They were married for 51 wonderful years.  Through the good times and bad they stood by each other’s side.  No matter where the roping was or the weather, Alice was by his side and his biggest fan.

In Jack’s early years, he was a heavy equipment operator on the construction of I40 through Albuquerque to Gallup and then went on to work in the coal mines. In 1969, Jack and Alice moved from Gallup, NM to Monument, NM to start their life together ending up in Nadine, NM in 1976 where they lived together until his passing.

While in southern New Mexico, he was self-employed as a horseshoer, trader and horse trailer builder.  He went to work for and retired from the Lea County Road Dept as a heavy equipment operator.  He used to say he loved his job because he was off on Fridays and could rope on the weekends.

Jack and Alice raised their two girls, Shelly Jo and Tammy in the country lifestyle he dearly loved.  He made sure he raised all his girls with country values, grit and determination.  Jack was so proud of his daughters and grandchildren, you generally were unable to escape a conversation without him speaking of Renee, his daughter from a previous marriage, Shelly Jo or Tammy and their kids.  As tough of an old cowboy as he was, his love for his family was never in question.

Jack is lovingly survived by his wife Alice Fay (Norris) Dickens; daughters Ruth Annice Johnson and husband Dane, Jackie Renee Swingle, Shelly Jo (Tucker) Dickens, Tammy Ussery and husband Jayson Ussery; granddaughters, Tristen Levy, Tenee and Kirstie Swingle and Shyanne Ussery; grandsons,  Joshua Johnson, Brady and Garret Tucker and Cordale Ussery; sister Margaret Stainke; and dear friend Tom Carmony plus numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents Charles Oklahoma and Helen Watson Dickens; brothers Ted and Bobby James, Johnny Dickens, and Jimmy Dickens and wife Baby; sisters Helen Zemke and Marcia Krone.