Ogden F. Dickerson, Jr., Son of the late Ogden F. Dickerson, Sr. and Marie (Hall) Dickerson, went home to be with the Lord on February 2, 2022.

Ogden was born and raised in Bridgeton, New Jersey where he attended the Seabrook Elementary School and Bridgeton High School where he was active on the Track & Field team before graduating with the class of 1955.

Ogden met the love of his life Dorothy while in high school in 1954. Although they were school rivals and despite the long line of brothers and cousins he had to persuade, their love would not be denied. The two met at the Bridgeton skating rink, which is where, as teens they enjoyed spending time together Wednesday and Saturday nights.

Following graduation, Ogden enlisted in the United States Air Force where he served for 4 years in Basic and Technical Training. During this time, he continued his relationship with his soon-to-be bride, Dorothy. Ogden's tours of duty include Cheyenne, Wyoming; El Paso, Texas; Portsmouth, New Hampshire and his favorite location was Fairbanks, Alaska of which he often spoke of the beautiful landscapes and the near-constant darkness during the winter months.

Upon being honorably discharged from the U.S. Air Force, in 1959 Ogden began his work experience at Anchor Hocking Glass Company in Salem, New Jersey as part of the Maintenance Department.

On February 25, 1961, Ogden married his bride, Dorothy at Mt. Hope United Methodist Church. Into this union, Ogden and Dorothy brought into this world a son Ogden F. Dickerson, III and daughter Dawn L. Dickerson whom he loved and cherished. Ogden was very proud of his children.
In 1963, he began his career at New Jersey Bell Telephone (Verizon) in Pennsville, New Jersey as part of the install/repair team. During his 33-year career he operated line trucks & hydraulic bucket trucks. Aside from his job as a lineman putting him in everything from 3-foot crawl spaces to 40-foot telephone poles, Ogden often found himself in situations that provided funny stories for his family nightly at the dinner table. He was often encouraged to keep a journal of his adventures, however, was able to recall many of his stories years to come and which were still just as entertaining. Due to extensive training in safe driving, he encouraged his family to wear seatbelts years before it was mandatory. Retiring from NJ Bell in 1996, Ogden was awarded a certificate for 32 years of Accident-Free Driving.

During his retirement, Ogden acquired his New Jersey Commercial Driving License (Class B with Passenger and Air Brakes endorsements). From 1997 to 1999 he became a bus driver for Salem Care where he transported handicapped Senior Citizens to appointments and day trips. Ogden continued his career in transportation in 1999-2014 as a school bus driver for B.R. Williams Company in Woodstown, New Jersey. During this time, he thoroughly enjoyed transporting school children to/from school and to other school activities. He watched most of them grow up before his eyes. He cared deeply for each one of his little passengers by which he became simply & fondly known as "Mr. D". Ogden completed his driving career driving for the Cumberland County Guidance Center as a van driver where he worked from 2014 to 2017.

Ogden was a member of the Mt. Hope United Methodist Church where he joined under the pastorship of Reverend Charles Kiah. He joyfully served as the Treasurer of the United Methodist Men. Ogden sang with the Allen & Allen Chorus, The Salem Community Men's Choir and with the Mt. Hope Men's Choir. Besides singing with the choirs Ogden enjoyed commiserating with the other members of the choirs and volunteering in the kitchen to serve breakfast and other church events. He loved the youth of Mt. Hope and was always ready when asked to drive the church van to some of the many events. You really received a blessing if you were in the church when he sang one of his favorite hymns "I'm Going Up Yonder".
Ogden enjoyed going on road trips and ocean cruises with his wife, fishing off the Atlantic shore and on fishing boats with his work buddies, reading, listening to jazz music, rooting for his Philadelphia Eagles, cooking on the grill, steaming up a bushel of crabs and especially spending time with his family. Motorcycles were also one of his favorite pastimes. He enjoyed riding motorcycles, working on them and teaching his son, nephews and of course his daughter how to ride. Ogden loved packing up the family and taking daytrips to Philly, New York City, Atlantic City, Wildwood, Baltimore, Washington DC and just about anywhere to get a good meal with his wife and kids. Aside from spending time
with his beautiful wife, he was happiest when he was spending time with his Grandchildren. Ogden enjoyed being a Pop-Pop.

Over the years, as his debilities increased, he was thoughtfully assisted by his sister-in-law Frances who he lovingly referred to as "Frannie". This was his warm greeting to her to let her know that he appreciated her care and attention in making appointments, providing transportation to appointments, speaking to doctors and being the advocate for him and his wife Dorothy. Ogden was a man of few words, but his smile and subtle wink spoke volumes to let you know that you were loved and appreciated.

Ogden leaves to cherish in his memory, his wife of nearly 61 years Dorothy L. Dickerson; a daughter Dawn L. Dickerson of Plainfield, NJ; a son Ogden F. Dickerson, III (Cheryl) Dover, PA; two sisters, Marie Rhines of New Castle, DE; Beverly Dickerson of Sewell, NJ; four Sisters-in-law, Frances Coleman (Joe) of Newark, DE; Sheila Summuel of Voorhees, NJ; Carole Brown of Rhode Island; Sally Dickerson of Vineland, NJ; one Sister-in-Love, F. Elaine Gibson (Ed) of Salem, NJ; Six Brothers-in-law, Herman Freeman of Athens, TN; Donald Brown (Victoria) of Plainfield, NJ; Kevin Brown (Timeka) of Chattanooga, TN; Keith Brown (MaryJo) of Quinton, NJ; Kennard Braxton of Woodstown, NJ and John Bailey, Sr. of Bridgeton, NJ; four magnificent grandchildren, Jordan A. Flowers, Symone M. Dickerson, Elijah R. Bounds and Courtney P. Bounds, The Bentley Family and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.

In addition to his parents, Ogden was predeceased by two sisters Jean McFarland and Evelyn "Bird" Bailey; Mother-in-law Pauline Brown; Father-in-law Elmer Brown, Sr.; three Sisters-in-law, Carolyn Brown, Frances Freeman, Glenda Brown, Barbara Braxton; seven Brothers-in-law, Calvin McFarland, William McFarland, William Rhines, Robert Brown, John Brown, Elmer Brown, Jr., Clark Dickerson; a nephew Daryl Freeman.