Lyn Dickerson, 1922-2004
John Dickerson, 1920-2001
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In Memory of Lyn Dickerson
by Laurel Upshaw, Historian

Tulsa Audubon Society and Native Plant Society Members will remember the smile and sweet voice of Lyn Dickerson who passed away on Sunday August 15, 2004. She and John (who passed away in 2001) were so ready to share their love and knowledge of birds, wild flowers, and all of nature that they led field trips and worked steadfastly to encourage and promote these organizations as well as Oxley Nature Center. In 1981 - 85 they hosted the monthly meetings of Tulsa Audubon Society, introducing the new members and guests and making everyone feel at ease. Lyn was an educator in background and was chairman of the TAS Education committee during the 1980s; she was instrumental in getting Audubon Adventures started in all elementary schools in the Tulsa Area. She also performed the hard work of connecting Tulsa Audubon members as speakers for the many requests TAS received from schools and other organizations. Lyn was one of those who spoke and shared their memories at the 60th Anniversary celebration of Tulsa Audubon Society. Lyn quietly took on whatever job was asked of her when TAS was so actively growing. As a long-time member of the Tuesday Morning Birders, we celebrated her birthday and their wedding anniversary (both on Nov. 13) with a special cake at the TMB snack time -- usually indoors at the Corps of Engrs. Building at Keystone Dam or at Oxley Nature Center. She had a delightful sense of humor. We will miss her very much.

I don't remember the date, but here is my best memory of Lyn. The Tuesday Morning Birders were accompanied by a woman reporter for the Tulsa World on a trip to Haikey Creek a number of years back. She took pictures and presumably asked everyone their name. The article came out with a full color picture of John Dickerson, myself, and Lyn -- who was looking up through binoculars at (I remember!) a Great-Crested Flycatcher. The caption under the picture was: John Dickerson, his wife Lyn, and an unnamed birder -- but Lyn was the unnamed birder and I was Mrs. Dickerson, in the order named. Lyn and I both laughed about it but you can not believe the number of irate phone calls The World got that morning from OTHER Tuesday Morning Birders -- and the reporter called us to apologize!! Lyn was a wonderful sport, always -- and such lovely red hair!! Laurel

Tulsa World Obituary

DICKERSON -- Marilyn "Lyn" (Miller), passed away Sunday, August 15, 2004. Lyn was born November 13, 1922 in Vinton, IA, the daughter of Harold and Marietta Miller. After spending her childhood on the family farm, she attended Iowa State University in Ames, graduating in 1944 with a degree in Home Economics/Institutional Management. She then joined Eastman Kodak Co. in Rochester, NY, before moving to Tulsa to head up the Tulsa office of the American Dairy Council. In 1946 she married John Dickerson of Tulsa. In 1964 she became a certified teacher and taught Home Economics at Hamilton Junior High and East Central High School. She was an active member of the Tulsa Home Economics Club for many years, including serving as it's President. In addition to her professional achievements, she took a personal interest in her students and colleagues, making life long friendships of both. She retired from teaching in 1983, ending her career at the Tulsa County VoTech School.

In their retirement years, she and her husband, John pursued their life long enjoyment of, and commitment to the Tulsa chapters of the Audubon Society and Nature Conservancy. They spent much of their free time on various projects for both organizations, such as the annual Tulsa bird count and Nature Conservancy's' Tall Grass Prairie. She is survived by her 3 children, Marilyn Jane Ross (Dr. Jim) of Ouray, CO, John Edward Dickerson, Jr. (Carolyn) of Tulsa and Janet Roden of Tulsa; a sister, Janet Mason (Dr. Drew) of Vinton, IA; a brother, Dr. Roger Miller (Rosemary) of Tulsa; and 10 grandchildren, Dr. Amy Ross-Schroer (Michael), Lt. JG Jonathon Ross (Piper), Joseph Ross, Justin, Kirstin, Morgan and Austin Dickerson, Michael and Vanessa Darling and Christopher Roden. Memorial service, 4 p.m., Friday, All Souls Unitarian Church, 29th and Peoria. Contributions may be made in her honor to the Audubon Society or the Nature Conservancy.

Lyn & John in 1995

Lyn at an Audubon Adventures Class

John with an Audubon Adventures class

Lyn at the 1998 Grand Lake Audubon Pelican Festival

John in 1998

Tulsa World Obituary for John Dickerson
06/02/2001

DICKERSON -- John Edward "Johnny Dick", Rockhound, "Rail", Birder, Round-dancer, Naturalist and lifelong Tulsan died peacefully at St. John's Hospital on Wednesday, May 30, 2001, surrounded by his family. John was born in Inola, OK on January 20, 1920 to Mabel Darnell Dickerson of Inola and Edward John Dickerson of Tennessee. In between hawking newspapers and pumping gas during the Great Depression of the '30s, he started pursuing the hobbies which reflected his in-born love of nature and respect for his Oklahoma Indian heritage. His many interests filled his life with great enjoyment and friendships with like-minded people. John helped to found the Tulsa Rock Hound Society and was very active in Audubon Society, Oklahoma Native Plant Society, Oxley Nature Center as well as square and round dancing. He married Marilyn "Lyn" Miller on November 13, 1946. They had 3 children for whom John and Lyn's shared interests gave many fond memories of rock-hunting, birdwatching and native Oklahoma history. John retired from the Frisco Railroad in 1980, remaining active as a railroad retiree or "rail" until his death. He is survived by: his wife, Lyn; daughter, Jane Ross and her husband, Jim of Ouray, CO and their 3 children, Amy Schroer Ross, Jonathon Ross and Joseph Ross; son, John E. Dickerson, Jr. and his wife, Carolyn of Tulsa and their 4 children, Justin, Kirstin, Morgan and Austin; daughter, Janet Roden and her husband, James and their children, Michael Darling, Vanessa Darling and Christopher Roden. A memorial service will be held at All Souls Unitarian Church on Tuesday, June 5, 2001 at 1:30 p.m. Donations may be made to Nature Conservancy in lieu of flowers.