By Robert Medley
Managing Editor
Ken Dickerson, a member of a founding Piedmont family, who was known for serving as a county judge and building a local history museum and area veterans’ center, died Saturday.
A funeral for Dickerson, 81, will be 10 a.m. Friday at Piedmont First United Methodist Church.
Hoss Cooley, 70, helped Dickerson build a new Piedmont Historical Society building in 2012 located west of the post office. Dickerson organized the Piedmont Area Veterans Association and build a museum in May, 2015. In May, 2019, Dickerson opened the Piedmont Veterans Events Center near the municipal building on Edmond Road.
“Dickerson gave his own money toward the project and dedicated the building to his late wife Jan Dickerson,” Cooley said.
Ken Dickerson was a former Canadian County special district judge. He was an attorney, and his legal knowledge helped set up the veterans’ association, Cooley said.
“He (Dickerson) was a great guy. He helped the veterans tremendously,” Cooley said.
Ken Dickerson also helped maintain the historic Kansas Cemetery, where his relatives who were early area settlers are buried. He was the president of the cemetery association.
Cooley has lived in Piedmont 41 years and works as a general contractor. He knew Ken Dickerson about 20 years, he said.
“Ken was a good friend,” Cooley said.
Funeral services are under the direction of Ingram, Smith & Turner Mortuary.
Read the Piedmont-Surrey Gazette for updates to local news.
