William Thomas Dickey, age 77, passed away peacefully at his home on January 20, 2019. Tommy, a native Houstonian, graduated from Lamar High School and attended Texas Christian University. He was a long-time member of Texas Corinthian Yacht Club and the River Oaks Country Club.
Tommy was preceded in death by his parents William M. (Bill) Dickey and May Wiley Dickey. He is survived by his sister Lynn Dickey Wiseheart; his son William M. (Charlie) Dickey and wife Allison Street Dickey, and their sons William Wyatt Dickey and Simms Street Dickey; daughter Laura Lynn Dickey-Dye and husband Shane Dye, and their daughter Carlin Wiley Dye. Tommy is also survived by his long-time companion Ellen Gerloff, and his former wife and mother to his children Susan Sample Dickey.
Over his career, Tommy continued the commercial development began by his father of the family’s former farmland running along Kirby Drive from San Felipe to West Alabama. In the 1980s Tommy envisioned Kirby Drive as a world-class, vibrant commercial development. He spearheaded the founding of the Upper Kirby District and served on its board for more than 20 years. His dedication to this decades-long revitalization project continues to have a positive and lasting impact on the quality of life throughout the area.
Tommy was a top-tier, international sailor whose love of sailing began as a child and carried him to competitions across the country and abroad. He was highly sought after as crew for his unrivaled talent on the foredeck. Tommy was also a gifted craftsman who built his first boat as a teenager and went on to create and restore several prize-winning vessels. His last boat, Hunky Dory, was built for his grandsons and christened recently in July 2018.
More than anything else, Tommy treasured his time on Galveston Bay with his family and friends. Known by his family as “Pops,” he took great pleasure watching his kids and grandkids grow to love the bay just as he did. Friends describe Tommy as a solid and kind gentleman with a reverent soul and a wicked sense of humor. His generosity touched many lives.
The family wishes to extend a special thanks to Tommy’s lifelong and dearest friend Dr. John Alan Farmer. The family also extends a special thank you to Helen Schutz, Jack Jacobs, Nathan Rogers and Armando Corona for their help and tireless dedication to Tommy over the years.
In lieu of flowers, friends may make a memorial contribution to: Galveston Bay Foundation, 1100 Hercules Ave. Suite 200, Houston, TX 77058, or Bo’s Place, 10050 Buffalo Speedway, Houston, TX 77054.