John Reuben Dickey

John Reuben Dickey, an exceptional father, husband, brother, grandfather, papa and friend, extended his hand, and left this mortal life on Wednesday, April 19th, 2023, surrounded by his wife Sherrie, children, and extended family and friends, and returned to our Heavenly Father’s arms. John fought long and hard for many years, cheating death multiple times, but finally succumbing to the cancer and other various health issues that wore his body down. He has finished his mortal mission here on earth and is finally pain free.

Born on November 24, 1946, to Leland Rafell Dickey and Mary June Allphin in American Fork, Utah, John began this life’s adventure as the second eldest of eight children. John had a love of the gospel, his country, and family. He loved his brothers and sisters, children, and grandchildren with his whole heart.

Serving a two-year mission in Calgary, Canada for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, John found a passion for the gospel, sharing his experiences and love of the pioneers and our Savior. He held many callings including working in the temples where he felt peace and joy. John loved our country; enlisting in the army shortly after his mission, he was stationed at Fort Belvoir in Virginia, serving some of his time in Korea.

John married Marjorie Cherie Ainge on August 5, 1967, later sealed in the Salt Lake temple (div.1996), and raised five wonderful children (Janna, Eric, Gregg, Christy, and Heidi.) John loved his children, raising them to work hard, run with the horses, rope cattle, hunt, and go fishing. He loved the outdoors and found any excuse to pull his trailer to the mountains, camp under the stars to take in the fresh air, tell stories and create memories with his family and friends.

John found happiness once again, marrying his sweetheart Sherrie Burbank Knowles on December 28, 2001 and later Sealed in the Timpanogos Temple on November 1, 2017.
Together they worked as entrepreneurs and business leaders. They had a deep passion for helping people go for their dreams. John was an incredible teacher and trainer in business as well as the Gospel, especially the pioneers and his ancestors. John and Sherrie spent a lot of their time taking people on Trek to Martin's cove and feeling the spirit of those that came before us.

John was a man of many trades, gaining experience on oil rigs, welding, construction, and so much more. He loved building and fixing things and could operate nearly any tool in the construction industry. He was always proud of the work he did and loved sharing it with those around him.

John is survived by his wife Sherrie Lee Burbank Knowles-Dickey and their combined children; Janna Furness (Gordon), Eric Dickey (Dawnelle), Gregg Dickey (Melissa), Christy Dickey, Heidi Palfreyman, Mike Knowles, Eric Knowles (Karen), Darin Knowles (Jessica), Chad Knowles (Melynda), and Tiffani Swensen (Clark).

He is preceded in death by his parents, Leland Rafell Dickey (father), Mary June Allphin (mother), Robert Lee Dickey (brother) and Merrilee Dickey (sister).

A viewing will be held Sunday, April 30 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the Herriman Utah Butterfield Canyon Stake, 13768 South 6400 West. Funeral services will be Monday, May 1 at 11:00 am at the same stake center with a viewing one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at the Utah Veterans Cemetery in Bluffdale, 17111 South 1700 West. For those unable to attend in person, the family invites you to join via Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85619961300. A free Zoom account is required and you will need to sign in to join the service.

The Dickey family would like to thank all the doctors, nurses, caregivers, and volunteers at the VA Hospital, as well as the Enhabit Home Health and Hospice agency for the love and care they gave to John and his family. He was also supported and surrounded by the best ward family and neighbors. Thank you all that loved and cared for John.

In lieu of flowers the family asks for an in-kind donation toward the cost of funeral expenses through Venmo at @sherrie-knowles. Thank you.