Maj (Ret) Richard (Dicke) Earl Fallon

July 31, 1945 – January 6, 2021 (age 75)

Richard (Dicke) Earl Fallon of Fort Walton Beach, Florida went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, 6 January 2021. Dicke was born in Sioux City, Iowa on July 31, 1945, to Clifford Benjamin (CB) and Evangeline Inez Fallon. He was the youngest of five children, growing up with three sisters Virginia, Marge, and Carole, and brother Cliff.

Dicke attended Sioux City East High School where he excelled in Track & Field and Football where he was chosen for the All-American High School Team. He received an appointment to the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs Colorado, where he continued playing first-string football as a right guard. He graduated in 1968 with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering.

During his time at the Academy, he met and fell in love with Diana Madrid on a blind date during a trip to Hamilton AFB in Northern California. After a long-distance courtship, he proposed, where Diana happily accepted. They were married on March 21, 1971, in Menlo Park, California and a month later he was deployed to Vietnam. While assigned to Special Forces, he flew UH-1 Huey helicopter gunships. After a year in Vietnam, he returned home where the couple was stationed at Edwards AFB in Southern California. During their time at Edwards their first son, Joshua was born. After four years in California, they received orders to Eglin AFB. With a toddler in tow, they made the trek to Florida. In 1976, they put down roots in Fort Walton Beach, Fl where three more children came soon after, Jacob in 1976, Jessie (his favorite) in 1977, and baby James in 1982.

Dicke continued his military career training other airmen in arctic, water, and jungle survival. He was a Life Support officer and graduated from the National Transportation Safety Board School. His last duty assignment was with TAC at Tyndall AFB where he retired in 1987.

After retirement, Dicke opened a computer and internet company, ETS Electronics. With his love of technology, it was a perfect fit for him. He also dedicated many years to the Boys and Girls Club and was a lifetime board member. He was also his children’s biggest fan, coaching them in their school sports of Football, Wrestling, and Track & Field, never missing a game, match or track meet.

Dicke will be remembered as the gentle giant who would help anyone in need. He was a legend to so many of his nieces and nephews, always making time for them when he came home to Sioux City for visits. He was a good listener, had the patience of Job, and was very knowledgeable about pretty much everything. He will also be remembered for his quirky sense of humor, always pretending to be Lyndon B. Johnson when his kids would telephone him. He was also an excellent classical guitar player. There are so many fond memories of gathering around him while he strummed the strings, singing gently his favorite folk songs.

Dicke is survived by his wife of almost 50 years, Diana Madrid Fallon, children Joshua Fallon (Dawn), Jake Fallon, Jessie Jacobs (Leo), grandchildren Kierstyn Fallon, Brianna Tikhovskyy, Gabe Fallon, Liora Fallon, Marley Jacobs, and Harper Jacobs. He is also survived by his three sisters Virginia Renner, Marge Bosco, and Carole Beck, and brother, Cliff Fallon, and countless nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Life was held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church on Saturday, January 16, 2021, and was live-streamed on their website at www.gslcshalimar.org

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast.
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