Marion Francis Dickerson

Marion was born in 1927 and passed away July 6, 2014, at the home he shared with his oldest daughter Jeanette Melis in Louisville, Ky. He was 87 . Marion enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1944. He turned 18 onboard USS Ashland LSD1 in 1945 while in the Pacific. He left the Navy in the 1950s and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. He retired from active duty as a Gy Sgt in 1968 and remained in the reserves until 1974. He enjoyed eating out, fishing and spending time with his companion dog that he named "Little Sarge." He proudly wore hats showing that he was a veteran and loved how people would come up and talk to him and thank him for his service. He was able to visit the Henry Clay Estate in Lexington, Ky. ... Ashland ... which is where the first ship he served on got its name. When the Ashland was decommissioned the ship's bell was donated to the Henry Clay Estate and it really meant a lot to him to be able to touch that bell. He also was able to go on an honor flight to Washington to visit the memorials. He was so excited to take that trip and it was a highlight for him during the last couple of years of his life. He is deeply missed by his two daughters, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, brother and many nieces and nephews. Semper Fi Gunny.