Fred Dickey, Jr., 74, was greeted by the Lord as he rejoiced into Heaven, on Monday, August 7, 2023.  Mr. Dickey is preceded in death by parents, Fred and Esther Kowalski Dickey, and sister, Diane Dickey Gebhart.

Born and raised in Laredo, Texas, Fred was fortunate to attend private school. It was at St. Joseph’s Academy where he found his love for football and played various starting positions. In junior high, he attended Lamar Middle School and later attended Nixon High School where he continued to play football until a knee injury derailed his passion. It was after this, that he made a decision to leave school and was hired at Nieto Funeral Home to work various jobs. He was inspired and encouraged by Lauro Hernandez, to pursue a career where he could have a positive impact on the community. He was motivated to return to Nixon High School and this is where he met his future wife and love of his life, Sadie Buitron. Upon graduation from J.W. Nixon High School in 1969, he immediately attended Commonwealth College of Health and Mortuary Science in Houston, Texas in pursuit of his dream. In order to finance his education, Fred worked driving an ambulance in Houston, Texas. In 1971, after completing his education he served as a funeral director in different cities including Falfurrias and Corpus Christi. Soon after he returned to Laredo, he married his high school sweetheart in 1972 and began their family.

In September 1991, Fred had the opportunity to purchase the funeral home where he had once worked, Nieto Funeral Home. Fred was able to turn around a struggling funeral home and make it thrive in order to better serve his community. Fred always said, “To God be the Glory.” His passion and drive to provide for his family, led him to purchase Buitron Funeral Home. He then built Fred Dickey Funeral and Cremation Services in October 2013, where he continues to serve his community to this day. In 2016, Fred was recognized as a Mustang Legend, where his motivating speech concluded with, “The best thing about this school is I took home my Golden Spur and married her and remember…Never ever, never, ever, EVER, give up!”

In 2021, Fred received his 50-year pin recognizing his service in the Funeral Service Industry. Fred realized the southern part of his community needed quality and affordable care as well. He started the building of Nieto Funerals and Cremations and saw it to its completion in May 2023. Mr. Dickey was able to complete his dream of starting, completing and operating his new venture. He always said, “To God be the Glory!” Fred Dickey was a protector and provider for his family. He was a courageous risk taker, an innovator, and a generous servant of the Lord.  This avid University of Texas Football fan enjoyed attending games annually with his wife and friends. His Sundays were special and important to him as he spent hours visiting with his brother over the phone and ended the evenings cooking out with his family. He loved serving at Grace Bible Church where he grew his faith in the Lord.

“To be absent from the body, and be present with the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 5:8

He is survived by his wife of 50 years of marriage, Sadie Dickey; children, Christy (Rick) Muñoz, Fred (Yesenia) Dickey, III, and Sarah (Aldo) Dickey-Boyless; grandsons, Samuel Frederic Boyless and Frederic “Charlie” Dickey, IV; brother, David (Leslie) Dickey; family caregiver Conchis Cruz, as well as other family members, his work family, and friends that will greatly miss him. Pallbearers will be: Aldo Boyless, Rick Muñoz, Marco Martinez, Rocky Bruni, John Dickey, David Dickey II, and Robert Castillon. Honorary Pallbearers will be: Fred Dickey III, Charlie Dickey, Samuel Frederic Boyless, Jorge Buitron, Roberto Buitron, Juan Guerra and Jim Fulgham.

The Dickey family will be receiving guests on Sunday, August 13, 2023, in the Angelus Chapel at Fred Dickey Funeral & Cremation Services from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. A prayer service will be officiated by Rev. Eddie Aranda at 7:00 pm. Interment will be held privately at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like you to consider donating to ministries and churches that made an impact on his faith. They are the following: Victorious Christian Harvesters at vcharvesters.org, Primera Iglesia Bautista primeralaredo.com, and Grace Bible Church at gracelaredo.org.

Funeral arrangements are by Fred Dickey Funeral & Cremation Services, 1320 Trey Dr., Laredo, Texas 78041 (956) 723-3611. For your convenience, you may leave your condolences to the family online at www.freddickey.com