Gerry Dickinson

Gerald “Gerry” Potter Dickinson, Jr., 58, of Columbia, SC passed away on Friday, October 29, 2021, after an extended illness. Born on February 15, 1963, in Charleston, SC, Gerry was the son of the late Caroline Pinckney and Gerald Potter Dickinson.

Gerry grew up along the waterfront of the Old Village of Mount Pleasant where he was surrounded by multiple generations of aunts, uncles and cousins. His days of youth were spent freely roaming the marshland, swimming off the dock and boating to Crab Bank and beyond. Gerry was grateful for the lifelong friendships formed in his early days on Bennett Street and at the Pitt St. Pharmacy, in fact, to Gerry they were his extended family.

He graduated from Newberry College in 1986, where he was a loyal member of Delta Epsilon Chapter of The Kappa Alpha Order. Gerry formed many enduring friendships from his days in Newberry, SC. Not only did he continue to support his Alma Mater and maintain close association with many of his Newberry friends, he was also a devoted supporter of Gamecock Athletics. Gerry seldom missed an opportunity to unite friends or family for a tailgate or sports event.

Gerry's life-long interest in politics took him to many areas of service in his beloved South Carolina and to the halls of government in Washington, DC. He began his career with Senator Strom Thurmond, joining his staff in 1986. From there he became a Presidential Appointee for President George H.W. Bush and joined Secretary Jack Kemp at the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Upon returning to South Carolina, Gerry served in various capacities with the SC State Government, including positions with Department of Transportation, Policy Council, Victim's Assistance Project, The Governor's Commission on Management, Accountability and Performance ,The Taxpayer Protection Pledge, and Americans for Tax Reform Center-Right Coalition.

His last 15 years were some of the most fulfilling to him, as he served the Senior population across the State as Director of Policy and Planning for the Lt. Governor's Office on Aging, which evolved into the South Carolina Department on Aging. Gerry’s devotion to serving others, especially those who were elderly and most in need, made him an impactful “servant of the people”.

Gerry was a member of Saint Phillip’s Church of Charleston, The General Society of Colonial Wars in the state of South Carolina, the American Swiss Foundation and an active member and officer in The First Families of South Carolina.

He is survived by his sisters, Pauline Pinckney Dickinson and Mary Gaillard Dickinson Perez (John), both of Mt. Pleasant, SC; four nieces and nephews, Caroline Stender Bettencourt (Bradford), Richard Dickinson Perez, John Gaillard Perez and Cantey Plowden Perez; six great nieces and nephews; his aunts, Billie Mace Durham (Carey) of Asheboro, NC, Martha Pinckney of Charleston and Nancy Gary Pinckney of Raleigh, NC, as well as many cousins. Gerry is preceded in death by his mother, Caroline Haskell Pinckney Dickinson and his father Gerald Potter Dickinson.

His Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday, November 5, 2021, at St. Phillip’s Church, 142 Church St, Charleston. The burial will follow at Christ Churchyard, Highway 17 north, Mount Pleasant, SC.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Ann Darlington Edwards Endowed Chair in Nursing at the Medical University of South Carolina, c/o the MUSC Foundation PO Box MSC 450, Charleston, SC 29425 or to St. Phillip’s Church, 142 Church St, Charleston, SC 29401.

Arrangements by James A. McAlister, 1620 Savannah Hwy, Charleston, SC 29407 (843) 766-1365