Gerald “TJ” Dick, Jr. was born on Jan 3., 1977, to Gerald and Denise Dick. He was always so proud that he was the New Year’s baby of Washington County in 1977. He died peacefully on Aug. 5, 2023, with family by his side, at Nebraska Medicine Hospital.
Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, Aug. 15, at 1 p.m. at Reach Church in Blair. Graveside services will follow in the Blair Holy Cross Cemetery. Visitation will be held Monday, Aug. 14, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Northern Lights Venue in Fort Calhoun. A Celebration of life will also be held Friday, Aug. 18 from 5-10 PM at the Northern Lights Venue in Fort Calhoun.
TJ grew up in Blair, Neb., graduating from Blair High School in 1995, where he excelled in wrestling, art, and rule breaking. The oldest of four boys, he was a natural leader. After high school, he went into the Operating Engineers Apprenticeship Program, starting out as a heavy equipment operator and eventually becoming the vice president (was president in waiting at time of death), and business agent for Local 571. His passion and advocacy for his Union brothers and sisters fueled him and gave him so much joy and purpose. He fought tirelessly to advance and improve the lives of others and strengthen Local 571.
TJ married Leah Schoville in 2003. Their three children: Ayden, Atticus and Axel were his entire life. He loved taking them boating from the time they were infants and continued that passion until the last week of his life. During the boating off-season, he planned creative Christmas pranks and gifts for them. Every year he somehow outdid the one before. TJ made Husker football and Buffalo Bills games an event. He was a proud member of the Buffalo Bills Mafia fulfilling his dream of making it to a game at Highmark Stadium in 2022.
TJ lived and operated at 100% in just about everything he did. He ran “hot,” remaining true to his values, never taking the easy way out. No one ever had to guess where they stood with him. He gave it straight to anyone who asked (or didn’t ask). If he loved you, he loved giving you crap and laughing at your expense. His sense of humor, fierce advocacy and often inappropriate energy will be greatly missed.
TJ lived and died selflessly. After losing his dad to cancer in 2013, he put on an annual fishing tournament for many years, raising money for other families affected by cancer. At his death, he gave the ultimate gift of life through organ donation; miraculously donating his heart to his dear friend and brother-in-law.
TJ is survived by many, many Dicks, in-laws and friends. His wife, Leah Dick; children: Ayden, Atticus, Axel and his “favorite,” his dog, Archie; brothers: Jason Dick, Sr., Jeff (Jenny) Dick and Josh (Rhonda) Dick; In-Laws: Perly and Sandra Schoville, Lanette Rybin, Keith “Packy” and Michaela Matzen, Lance and Sasha Shillcutt, Tony and Amy Holden and Jessica Burns; nieces and nephews: Barry Kienow, Ashley (Adam) Hopple, Shayla Klahn, Dalton Gomez, Jason (Cheyenne) Dick, Jr., Bo and Justice Eaton, Meadow, Wyatt, and Ben Matzen, Sam, Asher, Sophia and Levi Shillcutt, William (Faith), Wyatt, Weston, Taylor and Gerald Dick, Micah Schoville and Koda Holdren; dear friend and work partner Nancy Ward.
He is preceded in death by his parents Gerald and Denise Dick, grandparents: Robert and Delores Schroeder, Earl Sr and Beulah Dick and Delores Stokes.
In lieu of flowers, family requests tacos and margs. Memorials may be directed to: IUOE Local 571 Training Fund. Services by Campbell Aman Funeral Home, Blair.
