David Fawns Dickie, November 28, 1914 - May 13, 2011, passed away peacefully in his sleep at Prairie Pioneers Lodge in Swift Current, SK. at the age of 96. He was born on his family's homestead N.E. of Creelman, Sk. After the passing of his father, Francis (Frank) Dickie in 1920, his mother, Helen Fawns Dickie Farnsworth relocated her family to the Pennant area, to be nearer her brothers and sisters, who had settled there. Because of tough economic times, Dave was sent to live with an uncle, David Fawns, on his farm N.E. of Pennant. He grew up there, where he learned the value and necessity of hard work at an early age. At age 14, he had to leave school, with a grade 6 education, to make his way in the world. During his lifetime, he held many jobs, as like his brothers, he had to do anything that was available in order to survive, especially in his early years. He worked as a farm labourer, he gravelled roads, he worked on the CPR. He eventually got a job at the British American (BA) bulk fuel plant in Cabri, and in 1939, this experience led to an opportunity to take on the job of operating the Imperial Oil bulk warehouse in Pennant. During this time with Imperial Oil, he was still working as a farm labourer, and at pretty much anything else to make extra money, including in the winters, he, with help from brothers and friends, cut and hauled ice from the South Saskatchewan river to stock the ice house behind the Pennant Hotel, a miserable and dangerous job. On August 4th, 1938, he married his sweetheart, Beulah (Billie) Buness, and with one hundred dollars in the bank, they moved into a small house rented from Millicent Godwin. Dave continued working at the Esso plant, and farming for the McLean brothers, who had hired him in 1930 and then as well for his father in law, Axel Nelson. In 1948 Dave and Billie had their only child, a son, David Michael. Dave rented and subsequently bought the farmland he was working for the McLeans and Axel, and managed to buy some land of his own as well. Though he was very proud to have had the job and enjoyed operating the Esso plant, in 1966 he felt that he would at last be able to support his family with only one job, and he retired from Imperial Oil to become what he always wanted to be, a full time farmer! He continued to farm and was joined in farming by his son Michael in 1976, and they farmed together until Dave's retirement at 89 years of age. Dave was an avid self taught musician, and started playing for dances with his older brother Harvey at about 8 years old, chording on the tenor banjo to back up Harvey's fiddle. Years later, on a fuel hauling trip to Regina, he purchased a used saxophone, and actually played it at a dance, that very night! From then on the sax was his instrument, and he played it in dance bands for many, many years, around the Pennant area, and later in Arizona, where he and Billie spent winters, starting in 1969. He was a long time supporter of the Pennant United Church, singing in male quartets, and with Billie, in the choir over the years. He was called to military service at Camp Shilo in Manitoba during the Second World War, where he served in the Royal Canadian Artillery, and thus he was a Member of the Pennant Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion. Dave was the last surviving charter member of the Pennant Credit Union. He was on the Hall Board, and the Church Board and later, a member of the Pennant Happy Gang senior's group, His story in many ways, is the story of Pennant, where he spent almost all of his life, and where he was involved in almost every facet of community life. Advancing age and health concerns made a move to The Bentley Retirement Community necessary in April of 2010, and from there to Prairie Pioneers Lodge in January, 2011. David is survived by his wife Billie; son Micheal (Honey), brothers, sisters, brother-in-law, sisters-in-law and numerous nieces, nephews and family relations. He will be sadly missed by his family, friends and the Pennant community. Donations in his memory to the Pennant Happy Gang, Box 177, Pennant, Sk. would be appreciated by his family. A Memorial Service was held Wednesday, May 18, 2011 from the Pennant Memorial Hall with John Duncan officiating. The organist was Thelma Wallace and a Life Tribute was presented by David's son Mike Dickie. The ushers were Earl Wallace and Buster Undseth. The interment service took place at Pennant Community Cemetery. Warren's Funeral Home in care of arrangements. For further information please call 773-8831 or visit our website at www.warrensfuneralhome.com and express your sympathy to the family in our book of condolence.