Navy Equipment Operator 3rd Class Christopher M. Dickerson

Died April 30, 2004 Serving During Operation Iraqi Freedom

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33, of Eastman, Ga.; assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 14, based in Jacksonville, Fla.; killed April 30 when his military vehicle hit an improvised explosive device while traveling in a convoy in Anbar province, Iraq.

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Fallen sailor from Georgia honored

Associated Press

CHAUNCEY, Ga. — Friends and family of a fallen Navy officer honored him at a funeral service, as the memory of man known for making everyone laugh brought many to tears.

Petty Officer 3rd Class Christopher M. Dickerson of Eastman was killed in Iraq on April 30 when his military vehicle hit an explosive device while traveling in a convoy.

U.S. Rep. Jim Marshall told mourners on May 8 at the Sweet Home Baptist Church cemetery that Dickerson’s sacrifice will not be forgotten.

“We are not going to let young men like Chris die in vain by failing to stay the course,” Marshall said. “If we back off, if we say we just can’t handle this, we will cede the war to the terrorists.”

Those who knew the 33-year-old father and husband described him as an energetic man who loved old trucks and antique cars and always told jokes.

Billy Baker, pastor at Jay Bird Springs Baptist Church, shared a memory of Dickerson playing the role of the Apostle John in a church play.

“At the Last Supper we had all this fruit laid out, a big bowl, too,” Baker said. “We looked around and Chris had eaten every bit of it. That was Chris. He even ate the walnuts.”

While he always had a smile on his face, Dickerson also had a deep spiritual side that made him want to share the message with young people and married couples, Baker said.

Jerrie Crowe, who worked with Dickerson at Telfair Regional Hospital in McRae, remembered conversations in which he would discuss his faith and marvel at how much Jesus accomplished in just 33 years on earth.

“Many times he sat in my office and talked about how short the life of Jesus was,” Crowe said. “As I look on Chris today, 33 years old, I look and see how many lives Chris touched.”

Petty Officer 2nd Class Jason B. Dwelley, 31, of Apopka, Fla., also died in the attack. Dickerson and Dwelley served with the Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 14, which is headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla.