Kermitt Eugene Dickey

Kermitt Eugene “Dick” Dickey, age 93, passed away peacefully on January 18, 2026, in Granite Bay, California. He was born on March 8, 1932, in Worden, Yellowstone County, Montana, to John and Roberta “Birdie” Dickey. Dick was raised during the Great Depression, and his family moved frequently throughout Montana before settling in Billings in 1943. He graduated from Billings High School and proudly served in the United States Army, where he was stationed in Japan during the later part of the Korean War. Upon returning home, Dick married his junior high school sweetheart, Jacqueline “Jackie” Armstrong, on January 2, 1954, in Billings, Montana. After a brief time in Billings, the couple moved to Chicago, Illinois, where Dick completed a year of electronics training. They later returned briefly to Billings before relocating to California to be near Jackie’s father. Dick worked for Kaiser Aerospace on the Polaris missile project and Lockheed before transitioning into retail business ownership in San Jose. In 1970, the family moved to Nevada County, settling on Combie Road, where Dick and Jackie opened Combie Country Store in 1971. Over the years, the business expanded to include five buildings with a wide variety of tenants, providing goods and services to the Higgins Corner community and becoming a local landmark. Dick was a lifelong sports fan and a devoted supporter of the San Francisco 49ers, Golden State Warriors, and San Francisco Giants. He enjoyed reading, but above all else, he loved work—hard work—and took great pride in everything he did. A man deeply committed to service, Dick was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Auburn, California, since 1971. He was also a charter member of the Higgins Diggins Lions Club, where he served at both the club and district levels, including a term as District Governor, along with many other leadership and service roles. Dick will be remembered for his unwavering work ethic, generosity, and dedication to his family, community and civic life. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Roberta Dickey; his brother, Oliver B. “O.B.” Dickey; and his beloved wife, Jackie Dickey. He is survived by his son, Steve Dickey; daughter, Barbara Lawrence; son-inlaw, Robert Lawrence; grandsons, Maxwell Lawrence and Scott Lawrence; greatgranddaughter, Theia Lawrence; and nieces Michelle Dickey of Vacaville, California, and Cheryl Struthers of Boise, Idaho.

Kermitt Eugene Dickey

March 8, 1932 - January 18, 2026