Leonard E. Dickens (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Leonard Eugene Dickens, son of Carl and Willie Mae Murrey Dickens, was born July 24, 1929, in Springfield, Missouri. He departed this life Thursday, January 5, 2017, in his home, in Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of eighty-seven years, five months, and eleven days.
On October 16, 1954, he was united in marriage to Ethel Lea Langston and they shared the last sixty-two years.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a granddaughter, Debra Ann Gibson; two brothers, Harold Dickens and David Dickens; and a sister, Jean Miller.
Leonard is survived by his loving wife, Ethel, of the home; a daughter, Cynthia Ann Gibson, and her husband, John, of Lebanon, Missouri; three sons, Dwight Moody, and his wife, Tamara, of Stoutland, Missouri, Carl Dickens, and his wife, Denice, of Laurie, Missouri, and Wayne Dickens, and his wife, Glenda, of Conway, Missouri; thirteen grandchildren, Kimberly, Kristen, Caleb, Kendall, Cinnamon, Bryan, Cami, Cathy, Rachel, Eugene, Nicholett, Michael, and Jennifer; twenty-two great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; a number of step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
He was raised in the Strafford, Missouri community, and graduated from Strafford High School. He then served his country faithfully in the United States Air Force. Leonard met Ethel while he was working at the Munger Moss Restaurant in Lebanon, and after they were married, they made their home in the same house for sixty-three years. Leonard worked for Highland Dairy for fifteen years before retiring.
Leonard was a long time member of South Five Church of Christ in Lebanon.
In his spare time he enjoyed playing golf, reading, and watching sports, particularly the St. Louis Cardinals Baseball team. He also liked caring for his lawn and growing beautiful flowers. He was a gentle man with a loving and caring heart. His family was very dear to him and he especially enjoyed his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.
Leonard was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather, uncle, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and his accomplishments and know that his family and friends will treasure the wonderful memories he made for them during his lifetime.
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