Obituary of Griggs Dickson

GRIGGS CAMERON DICKSON, M.D. Dr. Dickson, 80, of Charlotte, NC died peacefully at his home on Tuesday February 7, 2012surrounded by family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert Joseph Dickson and Robanna Griggs Dickson, and his wife of 50 years, Elizabeth ?Betty? Ross Dickson. Born in Pink Hill, NC, Griggs and family later moved to Garner where he spent most of his childhood years. Graduating as valedictorian of his high school class, he went to UNC-Chapel Hill where he relished the studious life excelling in chemistry and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa in 1951. He entered UNC-Chapel Hill medical school after his junior year of college, graduating in 1955. During medical school, Griggs met Betty Ross in Chapel Hill and they were married in 1953. After internship and residency in pediatrics at NC Memorial, Griggs served as a lieutenant in the Navy and the couple moved to Portsmouth, VA, where he worked as a pediatrician at the Naval Hospital, after which he returned to Chapel Hill and became Chief Resident of the Pediatric Department. In 1960, the family moved to Hartsville, SC and he began a practice there with Dr. James C. Parke. In 1962 he became a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. In 1964, Charlotte, NC became his permanent home and he eventually created a solo practice in the years prior to his retirement in 1997. In his years of service to the medical community, he served on various hospital boards and was Chief of Pediatrics at Charlotte Memorial Hospital from 1976 to 1978. A well-loved and respected pediatrician, he was noted for endearing quirks such as whistling while he worked, offering ?spankings? to undeserving youth, and confusing children by calling the boys, ?girls? and the girls, ?boys?. While his practice thrived, Griggs cultivated other interests as well. He was loyal to the recovery of the suffering alcoholic, and assisted numerous patients and their families towards a road to recovery. This dedication led to years of involvement with The Charlotte Council on Alcoholism and Chemical Dependency, where he received their ?Service Award? in 1993. Griggs was a faithful friend to the local NC Highway Patrol Troop H- District V, often riding with them. Through the years he cared for several of the patrolmen and their families. In 1997, he was honored with a ?Certificate of Appreciation? for his contributions to the Highway Patrol. Other hobbies included: woodworking, fishing, reading, photography, yard work, and Tar Heel basketball. He was an avid runner and ran countless races and 16 marathons. He was often spotted running down Queens Road West preparing for his next race. Griggs spent many years post-retirement as a strong presence in the lives of his granddaughters; cheering them on in soccer games, dance recitals, and orchestra concerts, as well as accompanying them on many road trips to one of his favorite places, Beaufort, North Carolina. In recent years Griggs was fortunate to have the companionship and full time care of his daughter Polly and son-in-law Bill at his home in Charlotte. The family extends gracious gratitude to his care team from Hospice of Charlotte, and his caregiver Bill Snipes from Homeinstead. Dr. Dickson is survived by his children, Polly Dickson and her husband, Bill Minton of Chapel Hill, Ross Dickson and his wife, Diane Dickson of Charlotte, and Michael Dickson of Myrtle Beach; his grandchildren include, Sarah Ross and Margaret Dickson; step- granddaughters, Ashley Farrington and Laura Gay and three step great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Geneva Ann Dickson Lee of Winston-Salem, and numerous other loving extended family members. Memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM, Saturday, February 11, 2012 in the sanctuary of Myers Park United Methodist Church, 1501 Queens Rd., Charlotte, NC 28207 with Dr. James Howell, Senior Pastor, officiating. The family will receive friends Friday evening, February 10, 2012 from 7:00 until 9:00 PM at Hankins & Whittington Funeral Service, 1111 East Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28203. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer?s Foundation of America, The American Cancer Society and the Nancy Coleman Ross and Betty Ross Dickson Educational Scholarship at The Bryan School of Business, UNC-G, PO Box 26165, Greensboro, NC 27402-6170