Richard L. “Dick” Jamison

Mar. 24, 1926 - July 26, 2015

Richard L. “Dick” Jamison was taken home by the Lord on Sunday, July 26, 2015 at his home. He was 89 years old. His family was with him. Dick, as he was affectionately known, was born in Chrisman, Illinois to Charles Russell and Mary Norma Jamison. He had a sister, Leota, who was born on the same day, but 12 years his senior. He attended Chrisman schools, and grew up playing sports and was in music competitions when he was a freshman in high school. He took first in the Nationals. When he graduated, he went to the Army-Air Corps, during WWII. He served in the European theater where he flew on a B-17 as a radio operator and navigator. He was stationed near Weisbaden, Germany. After Dick returned from the service, he attended Illinois Wesleyan University at Bloomington, Illinois, where he was in the School of Music. He was a member of the National Phi Mu Alpha music organization. He appeared on the cover of Slingerland Music Magazine, and other publications. While going to school, he met and married the absolute love of his life, Lorraine Carey. They were married on November 19, 1948 and enjoyed 66 wonderful years together. Dick was a lifelong 32nd degree Mason, and a lifelong member of Eastern Star. Dick became a band director and moved to Crescent City, Illinois where he was a band and choir director, and drove a school bus. In 1959, he accepted a position in Gila Bend, Arizona where he stayed three years, then moved to Chandler, Arizona where he was a band director and history teacher. The band won many 1st Place awards under his tutelage. His band kids called him “Mr. J”. He retired from the school system in June 1986. Dick was a “desert rat”. He, Lorraine, and daughter Mary loved to go hiking in the desert and have cook-outs, and Dick loved to go into the Superstitions and hike. Among Dick’s many hobbies were flying their acrobatic airplane, a Luscomb, for many years and made many trips back to Illinois and other states. Dick and Mary loved to do loops and spins in the airplane. He and Lorraine traveled in their motorhome for many years from the east coast to the west coast. They moved to Carson City in 1997 and enjoyed the time here. He later made and flew radio-controlled airplanes. Dick is pre-deceased by his parents, his sister Leota, and a grandson, Jason. He is survived by his wife Lorraine, daughter Mary and son-in-law Cliff King, a grandson Don Crouser and wife Elizabeth, and three great grandchildren, Jaden, Hunter, and Ashton.

Viewing will be Wednesday, July 29, from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Walton’s Funeral Home on Roop Street, and services will be Thursday, July 30, at 2:00pm. Burial will be at Lone Mountain cemetery following the service.