John Dinsdale

John Dinsdale, 92, Dickinson, died Monday, August 14, 2006 at St. Luke?s Home, Dickinson. John was a life long member of St. John?s Episcopal Church and a Rite of Christian Burial service will be held there at 10 a. m. , Thursday, August 17, 2006 with Rev. Dr. Bruce MacDuffie celebrating and Rev. W. Kendall Johnson, assisting. Interment will be in Dickinson Cemetery, Dickinson. Visitation will be 9 a. m. to 9 p. m. , Wednesday, August 16, 2006 at Price-Murphy Funeral Home, Dickinson, with a Masonic service at 7 p. m. John was born September 16, 1913 in Dickinson to Alex A. and Susan (Bird) Dinsdale. He was a life long resident of Dickinson, except for several early years he spent in Santa Cruz, CA. He graduated from Dickinson High School in 1931 and went on to attend Dickinson Teacher?s College. John was a member of Dickinson?s first American Legion Baseball Team in 1930 along with his good friend Kenny Mann. In his youth, he was a Golden Gloves Boxer. At age 19, he hopped on a freight train and rode the rails to the 1932 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, California. He returned to L. A. with John Jr. for the 1984 Olympics to see boxing. While there they met North Dakota?s own Olympian Virgil Hill at the arena. John married Geraldine (Gerry) Howe on July 2, 1935. They had two children, Roberta (Bobbie) and John Jr. In 1935, he took over ownership of the Texaco station located at 206 West Villard. At that time, there was no other service station in town west of Dinsdale?s Texaco. He remained in that location until 1994, when he retired at age 80. Most people who knew John can remember him as always running from one end of his station to the other to service his many customers. During his nearly 60 years in the gasoline business, John built additional stations in Beach, Bismarck, and Dickinson, owning and/or operating five locations all under the Texaco banner. In 1962, John was president of the North Dakota Gasoline Retailer?s Association and represented the state at the national convention in Los Angeles, CA. John will be remembered for finding a place of employment at his station for many DSC student athletes who were recruited by the various coaches at the college. He would find a place for them even if there wasn?t an open position. John was a very kind hearted man who befriended numerous customers by giving them his credit card to purchase gas so they could go on a honeymoon or take their family on a trip when they were short of cash. In 1978, Texaco pulled out of North Dakota and Exxon became the supplier. Dinsdale?s became a Sinclair station after Exxon left North Dakota in 1986. John also had the American Automobile Association (AAA) franchise running a successful towing business in conjunction with his service stations. He would answer his phone anytime during the night to make sure someone in need could get help. Many of these calls came in when the weather was 20 to 30 below zero. John was a 32nd degree Mason and a member of the Dickinson Lodge #32 for more than 50 years. He was a Scottish and York Rite member, a founding member of the El Zagel Ranger Motorcycle Unit, and a member of the Royal Order of Jesters. Over the years, they participated in many parades in North Dakota and Shrine functions around the country. Since John was always working, other members of the Rangers would make sure John?s bike was at the parade starting location as he was usually running late, but he always showed up. John had a life long love affair with motorcycles, owning his first Indian at age 20. In recent years, he enjoyed making the trip to Sturgis, SD for the annual Motorcycle Rally accumulating quite a collection of caps and t-shirts. John was a member of the Odd Fellows and Dickinson Elks Lodge where he looked forward to having lunch with friends every Saturday at noon, shaking dice to see who would be paying for drinks and a meal. He was always delighted when his friend Kenny Mann got stuck. In 1997, he made a donation to St. Joseph?s Hospital to create an activity room on the Swing Bed unit which is named in honor of his wife, Gerry. Over the years, the Blue Hawk Booster Club has benefited from his generosity, as he and Gerry funded an athletic scholarship at the college. In 1999, the Dickinson State University Booster Club presented John with the Blue Hawk Athletic Club Loyalty Award. He was preceded in death by: his parents; wife, Gerry and his sister, Florence McEwen. Surviving are his daughter, Roberta Westbee, Bismarck, ND; one son, John Jr. (Rolene) Dinsdale, Scottsdale, AZ; one sister, Mary Jane Baggenstoss, Minneapolis, MN; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to Dickinson State University, 230 8th Ave. W. , Dickinson, ND 58601 to be applied to the John and Gerry Dindsale Student-Athlete Scholarship Fund or Heartland Hospice, 30 W. 7th St. , Dickinson, ND 58601.


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Burial Date: August 17, 2006
Funeral Home Dickinson, ND

Funeral Service: Thursday, St. John’s Episcopal Church, Dickinson