James Allen Dick

DICK, JAMES ALLEN SR. -After a lengthy illness, the full and gratifying life of James Allen Dick, Sr. ended peacefully at his home on February 6, 2011. He was born in Calloway County, KY on August 27, 1919 to Louise Holt Dick and James Pierce Dick. His early years were spent in Paris, TN where he developed lifelong loves for football, tennis, the piano and music. A football scholarship took him to Transylvania University in Lexington, KY. His education was interrupted by years of service in the army (he entered as a private in the horse cavalry, finished as a captain in amphibious tank battalions), but he returned to Transylvania to complete his college studies and prepare for a career in radio broadcasting. In 1947, he married longtime friend Marilyn Mandle, also of Paris, and moved to Knoxville for a job in radio broadcast sales. In 1953, the FCC granted him a license for the 1,000 watt daytime station he named WIVK. When the FM radio band became available, though others doubted FM's future, he launched WIVK-FM, which became a legend in East Tennessee and throughout the nation in the broadcasting industry. He oversaw the growth of Dick Broadcasting Company to 15 stations in Tennessee, North Carolina and Alabama before selling the company in 2000. James believed strongly in giving back to the community, and always tried through the stations and his activities to serve and better the community. In so doing he was chairman of the United Way, co-chair of the Dogwood Arts Festival, was president of the Knoxville Symphony Society and Knoxville Junior Achievement. He worked with the Boys and Girls Club, Habitat for Humanity, and was on numerous boards including Valley Fidelity Bank, Knoxville College, Child and Family Service, Knoxville Chamber of Commerce, Knoxville Tourist Bureau and the Tennessee Association of Broadcasters. For his years of service he was honored to receive the Junior Achievement Award as an outstanding member of the business community, the Tennessee Association of Broadcasters Distinguished Service Award, recognized as an Outstanding Marketing Professional and a Charter Member of the Circle of Eagles Scholarship Endowment Fund for outstanding UT marketing students, the Knoxville Award for contributions to the city, the Distinguished American Award from the National Football Foundation, to be chosen as Volunteer of the Year by the University of Tennessee, and from Transylvania University, the Distinguished Alumni Award. James is also given credit for saving the Tennessee Theatre from demolition and giving it to the Historic Tennessee Foundation, for which the Tennessee Historical Commission honored him with their Certificate of Merit. The Tennessee Theatre has since been designated as the official theater of Tennessee. Loving music and believing every child should have the opportunity to experience music and its benefits, he founded the Joy of Music School for financially disadvantaged children. The program goals are to broaden the children's lives through music, teach good discipline habits that will carry over into their life's work and expose them to new opportunities for success. James' enthusiasm for life, his sense of humor and commitment to his family, friends and community will long be remembered by the many people whose lives he touched. James Dick was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Alfred Dick and his beloved daughter Jeannette Dick Hundley. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Marilyn; son James Allen Dick, Jr. and his wife Anne; son Arthur Dick and his wife Desiree, all of Greensboro, NC; daughter Emily Dick McAlister and her husband Hill; son-in-law Frank Hundley, all of Nashville; twelve grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He was a member of Sequoyah Hills Presbyterian Church and Wee Kirk Presbyterian Church in Linville, NC where he spent much time in his later years, enjoying golf with his friends and family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Joy of Music School, 1209 Euclid Ave., Knoxville, TN 37921, Sequoyah Hills Presbyterian Church, 3700 Keowee Ave., Knoxville, TN 37919, or a charity of the donor's choice. A memorial service will be held at Sequoyah Hills Presbyterian Church at 3:00 pm Thursday, February 10, with Dr. Michael Stanfield officiating, following which friends will be received in Barron Hall. Arrangements by Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel.

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James Allen Dick

August 29, 1919 - February 6, 2011