Gerald Dick

Gerald Thomas (Jerry) Dick of Overland Park, KS, a former news editor and assistant managing editor of the Topeka Capital-Journal, passed away September 5, 2018, surrounded by family.  He was 94 years old.

Mr. Dick was born November 28, 1923, in Perry, KS, to Ira T. and Lenora (Vogel) Dick.  He was a 1941 graduate of Perry High School and a 1948 graduate of the University of Kansas.

During his sophomore year at KU, he was drafted into the US Army.  Commissioned as a lieutenant, he served for two years in Belgium, Italy, England, France and the Philippines and one year in the Army Occupation in Japan.

Promoted to captain, he completed his service in 1946 and returned to KU to complete his degree in business.

Mr. Dick began his newspaper career in 1949 on the weekly Barber County Index in Medicine Lodge, KS, and later worked for the Eaton (CO) Herald.  He joined the Topeka Daily Capital as a copy editor in 1956 and later served as news editor of both the Daily Capital and the Journal before becoming assistant managing editor of the Capital-Journal in 1981.  He retired in 1988.

During his 33 years at the Capital-Journal, he was known as a tireless worker, a gentle but firm boss, a supreme grammarian and a lover of puns, many of which showed up in his headlines.

Mr. Dick was a gentle, kind man with a deep, booming laugh and a beautiful singing voice.  He sang in his church choir and played the saxophone in a band when he was young.  Mr. Dick read the Kansas City Star every day and was knowledgeable about world and local affairs.

An avid sports fan, he enjoyed watching Kansas City baseball and football games and was a life-long fan of KU basketball.  He also loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

Mr. Dick lived most of his life in Perry, before moving to Topeka in 1985 and relocating to Overland Park in 1996.

He married Glenna Hamm McDougall in Perry on November 24, 1963, who survives.  Also surviving are three daughters:  Cheryl Tatro, Breckenridge, CO; Linda McDougall, Overland Park; and Cheri (Steve) Nash, Leawood; a son, Bruce (Mary Kay) Freeman, Larkspur, CO; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his sister, Retha Tryon of Perry.

A visitation will be held from 1:30-3 PM, on Saturday, September 22, at Johnson County Funeral Chapel, 11200 Metcalf Ave, Overland Park, KS 66210.