David Harris Dickens, 62, of Alexandria, Virginia and formerly of Atkinson died unexpectedly on Friday, August 13, 2010 at his and Joyce's beloved mountain retreat in Lansing, NC.

He was born December 13, 1947 in Wilmington, the son of the late Morris Lee Dickens and Lucille Peterson Dickens. Also remembered are his brothers, Gary and Larry Dickens.

David is survived by his love and companion of 25 years, Joyce Woodcock Webb of Alexandria, VA; his sons, Fred R. Dickens of Waldorf, MD and D. Morris Dickens of Alexandria, VA; grandchildren, Dylan R. Dickens and Conner R. Dickens; aunts, Mavis Kelly of Atkinson, Virginia Gore of Wilmington, Dorothy Peterson of Elizabethtown and Betty Peterson of White Lake; two nephews and numerous cousins.

David was employed as a procurement analyst with Military Sealift Command, Washington Navy Yard, Washington, DC. In 2008 he graduated summa cum laude with a degree in Business Administration, specializing in information management from Strayer University. Stationed in Germany he served his country honorably in the US Army during the Vietnam Era.

David's love of being outdoors in all of God's nature and world was evidenced by his passion for fly-fishing in salt water, fresh water or mountain streams. He loved eating oysters and tending to his grapevines. David was a voracious reader, especially science fiction. One of his favorite pastimes was cooking delicious meals for gatherings of family and friends. David loved life and his family; most of all his grandsons, who affectionately called him PePaw. When grandson, Dylan, was three years old he told a crowd of people that PePaw was "a good man and a great white shark fighter." David was a gentleman with integrity, intelligence, Godly faith and love for his family, community and country.

A graveside service will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 18, 2010 at Woodcock Cemetery with The Rev. Merrell McKoy officiating. The family will receive friends 6 to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday at Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home in Burgaw.

Memorial gifts my be given to Woodcock Cemetery, C/O Thelma Woodcock, PO Box 36, Atkinson, NC 28421.

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Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home and Cremation Center of Burgaw.