A Life Well Lived - A Profile and Tribute of John Michael Dickson    

For those of us lucky enough to have experienced the boundless energy, wisdom and wit of John Dickson, we understand the tremendous gift we were given in the opportunity of sharing in his life. If you didn't know this exceptional individual, read on to get a personal glimpse of the meaning John gave to the phrase "a life  well lived."

 Born and raised in New Mexico, John moved to Dallas, Texas in 1979. While working for a formal wear company, John met Pandra Wade, co-owner of a bridal business. It didn't take John and Pandra long to realize they were soulmates, with wedding bells soon ringing. John and Pandra were the epitome of the perfect young couple, and they blissfully embraced their zest for life. While enjoying their respective careers, John and Pandra welcomed the birth of their first son, Brandon, in 1983.

New career paths soon followed: Pandra sold her business and entered the world of real estate; John went into hotel security. Realizing its great potential, Pandra asked John to join her in real estate. John subsequently left his position as director of hotel security and embarked upon a real estate adventure alongside Pandra. They continued in the real estate business with Pandra focusing on relocation and John transitioning into mortgage. They loved their work, their son, and their time together.

They were blessed with the birth of a second son, Remington, in 1991.  Through her work in relocation, Pandra's name became known to Raleigh's Don Walston, CEO of Coldwell Banker Howard Perry & Walston. As Walston is known to do when he sees a winner, he went to work persuading Pandra and her family to relocate to the Triangle, in order to hand Pandra the reins of his company's relocation department. After more than a year of lively conversation, Pandra took the job. In 1995, the Dicksons relocated and eventually settled in a historic home in Wendell.

John was infinitely proud of Pandra, even though the move meant that he had to start his career over again. He loved the mortgage industry, but without a Triangle branch of his Texas company, he had to begin at square one in North Carolina. Starting in the Triangle as a loan originator for Inland Mortgage, John looked to the Home Builders Association (HBA) of Raleigh-Wake County for ways in which he could create a niche in the industry. Create a niche, he did. He joined the HBA's Triangle Sales & Marketing Council (TSMC), where he not only actively participated on committees, but went on to chair the entire council. If TSMC needed someone to help in fundraising, John was the man. If they needed someone to literally sing and dance to get members excited about upcoming events-including doing impersonations of Elvis and The Village People-John was the man.

Technically savvy, John produced numerous Parade of Homes and MAME (Major Achievements in Marketing Excellence) events, not only in directing and staging, but also in the role of Master of Ceremonies. John would often change the words to popular songs to recognize these events and their volunteers, singing and performing with panache enviable to even the most illustrious entertainers.  During his time in the Triangle, John also hosted events for the Triangle Wine Experience, which raised funds to benefit the Frankie Lemmon School, and he  also worked with the SPCA of Wake County, raising record-breaking dollars  for this fine organization.

Numerous audiences and associations were the recipients of John's many talents. As John moved from loan origination to management, he accepted a position with Sunstar Homes (now Lennar) as national director of operations. After that enjoyable stint, John joined DHI Mortgage, a division of DR Horton, as national marketing director, or the title John preferred, "Grand Poobah, Director of Bells & Whistles." John loved his job, as anyone who had the opportunity to interact with him could plainly see. Counseling one-on-one and in groups, John used his imagination and creativity to encourage and inspire. One of his many specialties was the "Monday Motivator," a weekly email to remind employees of the good fortune in their lives. John appreciated the little things so often taken for granted. He felt this email of ever-changing stories was a small way of reminding himself and others to be thankful for the blessings in their lives. 

DHI Mortgage asked John to relocate to Austin, Texas in late 2003. Although he loved the Triangle, John moved without protest. He and Pandra "commuted" for several months before Pandra relocated back to Texas as well. John continued to help the TSMC during this time, even coming back in 2004 to produce and co-emcee the MAME Awards.  In late March 2005, John awakened in the night to a severe pain in his side. A trip to the emergency room revealed not the potential kidney stone John predicted, but something much more serious: kidney cancer. It had already metastasized to John's lungs and bones. John soon learned that of all the people diagnosed with cancer every year, only 3 percent have kidney cancer. John made it his mission to learn as much as he could about this disease, to improve his chances of recovery as well as to serve as a resource for others facing serious illness. 

In the wake of this news, John and Pandra received an outpouring of support from friends and family across the country. As a means of providing updates on his illness and treatments, John began an incredible, uplifting web log, http://johns_journey.livejournal.com. In his first entry, John wrote: "A lot of our friends have been visibly shaken when they've learned about the challenges we're going through. In talking to Pandra about it I came to the conclusion that it's because for most of us, old age and affliction are far-away concepts. My illness has forced people to face their own mortality. I am the poster child for the fact that tomorrow is not promised so we must take advantage of the opportunities we are given today. Please, please, please don't miss an opportunity to tell the people that you belong to that you love and appreciate them; that your life is better because they're in it."

In his writings, John reflected on his trials in his frequently witty manner, while making sure that readers understood the importance of taking responsibility  for their futures. In John's words, "Lance Armstrong says when it comes to cancer, education is power and attitude is everything. I'm trying to share my journey so others can see the value of a positive and proactive approach to their wellbeing." John shared his thoughts throughout his entire ordeal, even when his cancer had spread to his brain, and even when half of his body was paralyzed. He wrote his last heartfelt entry on December 17th, an entry Pandra says took most of the day for him to write. By that time he was on morphine to ease the pain of which he never complained.

He ended that last entry with the following instructions: "What Can You Do? Do what we're doing! Circle the wagons, gather the young-uns close, keep the fire banked up high to keep the cold night air back for just awhile. Tell your family that you love them and the real story of Christmas, and that love is the greatest gift of all." With great sadness, we lost John on Christmas morning, 2005.

His good friend Tom Mangum, an institution himself at Howard Perry & Walston Real Estate School, said in a eulogy he composed and delivered, that his personal memories of John were those of a trusted friend, advisor, world explorer and wine enthusiast. Tom and his wife shared numerous trips with John and Pandra, and Tom shared John's passion for fine wine, as both were founding fathers of The Mad Dawgs wine group. As Tom said at John's memorial service, there is virtually no one who hasn't marveled at John's attitude and outlook on life? John was a true lesson for us all. Pandra and her sons are learning to live without John's loving physical presence.

Countless individuals across the country are learning to live without the friendship of a man whose words and actions uniquely touched and inspired us. John Dickson was the personification of "a life well lived."  We can all honor John's exemplary life by taking his wise web log advice. And we can all honor John by contributing to the John Dickson Kidney Cancer Research Fund. 

'MR. MAME'

For the past 20 years, the Triangle Sales & Marketing Council (TSMC),  a division of the Home Builders Associations (HBA) of Raleigh-Wake County and Durham, Orange and Chatham Counties, present Major Achievements in Marketing Excellence, or MAME, which recognizes those individuals and companies who have made major achievements in designing, building, marketing and selling new homes throughout the prior calendar year. The 21st annual MAME gala was held March 24th in Raleigh with a very special tribute to "MR. MAME," John Dickson.   "The TSMC felt that a tribute to John would be an appropriate way to honor him for all the wonderful things he  did for MAME," says Tim Minton, executive officer of the HBA of Raleigh-Wake County. "John freely gave his time, energy and creativity to this event for years, both while he lived in the Triangle and even after he moved back to Texas. The TSMC was so appreciative of John's many contributions to our industry that it voted to allow a portion of every MAME ticket sold to go to the John Dickson Kidney Cancer Research Fund. Along with the TSMC, I'm pleased that we could participate in this way to honor John and his family, and we encourage continued contributions to this fund to find a cure for kidney cancer."  John served as MAME Master of Ceremonies numerous times over the past ten years, while also working tirelessly in the background to produce the show. The TSMC was pleased to have John's wife, Pandra, and sons, Brandon and Remington, attend the 2006 MAME event, to be a part of the tribute and to receive a special "MR. MAME" award in John's honor.    

How Can You Help?

John Dickson Kidney Cancer Research Fund Pandra, Brandon and Remington set up the John Dickson Kidney Cancer Research Fund as a means of honoring John and continuing John's resolve to beat  kidney cancer. The funds will be distributed to the entities doing the most progressive and effective research for a  kidney cancer cure. Donations can be sent to: All of us at New Homes & Ideas are honored to have made a donation in his memory and encourage our readers to consider doing so, too. 

John Dickson Kidney 

Cancer Research Account

Attn: Dena Gallacher Bank of Texas

6105 Park Blvd Plano, Texas 75093 

Rebecca Newsome is a Freelance Writer