Ronald E. Dickson

Sunrise: Ronald Earl Dickson was born June 16, 1949 in Houston, Texas to the late Roland Edward and Gladys Marie Dickson. The story goes: Grandpa R.E. gave everyone nicknames and because of his big smile Ronald became "Sonny". Morning: In 1958 the Dickson family moved to San Antonio, Texas. Sonny attended Cuney Elementary, Douglas Junior High and graduated from Phillis Wheatley High School in 1967. Noon Day: In 1967 he had a baby girl with Ethel Anderson who they named Rhonda. He then briefly attended St. Phillips College where he met Marisela Martinez who he married on August 7, 1971. They had two children together, Monica Renee and Ronald Earl Dickson, Jr. "Red". At an early age Sonny had a paper route with the Register Newspaper where he worked throughout his youth. He then went to work for the Hemispher and at Frederick Air Conditioning until he began his 40 year career as a bus operator for Via Metropolitan formerly known as San Antonio Transit System. He excelled as an operator and earned many accolades for safety and encounters. These stories were usually met with doubt by his family, but low and behold they were true. He loved his career and frequently acknowledged it saved his life. During this time Sonny was also a long time volunteer and contributor for the United Way and served as a Little League baseball coach for many years. If you knew Sonny at some point you observed him in his daily ritual of rubbing and kissing Buddha for luck before purchasing or scrtching off a ridiculous amount of lottery tickets. If you were anywhere in the city chances are you might have heard the honk of a bus horn and when you looked up you would be met with a bright smile and a wave. Sonny enjoyed spending quality time with his family, children, grandchildren and working in the yard. He rarely missed a family gathering and you knew he was present when you heard the zip, zip, zip of his disposable camera, he loved taking pictures! Evening: As the evening closed Sonny was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer on September 16, 2013. Sunset: Sonny always kept hope, rested on his faith, and fought till the end. The battle was lost on Wednesday, December 10, 2014. He was at peace and surrounded by friends and family when the Angels took him home. He is proceeded in death by his parents and sisters, Matha Jo White and Wanda "Mickey" Cosey. He leaves to cherish his memories his daughters, Rhonda Watkins and Monica Dickson; his son, Red Dickson; his grandchildren, jacobi and Jalen Watkins, Xcaret Altamirano and Reid Dickson; his sisters, Jewel Dickson, Gloria Bennett, Cara Dell Brown; his Partner, Marisela Martinez; along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.