Jay Woodson Dickey Jr (1939 - 2017)

Born 14 Dec 1939 in Pine Bluff, Jefferson, Arkansas, United States

Died 20 Apr 2017 at age 77 in Pine Bluff, Jefferson, Arkansas, United States

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Biography

Jay Dickey Jr is Notable.

Jay Woodson Dickey Jr. is a notable figure due to his diverse and impactful career that spanned law, business, and politics. He achieved recognition as a lawyer and businessman, operating successful Baskin-Robbins and Taco Bell franchises, as well as representing key figures in the world of sports. In politics, he made history by becoming the first Republican to win a congressional seat in Arkansas since Reconstruction, serving four terms in Congress. Dickey's advocacy for gun rights and his sponsorship of influential amendments left a lasting mark on American politics. Furthermore, his surprising change of stance on gun safety research in later years highlighted his willingness to adapt and address critical issues. His multifaceted career and contributions to various fields solidify his status as a notable and influential figure in Arkansas and American history.^[1][2]

Jay Woodson Dickey Jr. was born on December 14, 1939, in Pine Bluff, Jefferson County, Arkansas^[3], to Jay Woodson Dickey Sr. and Margaret Lillian (Rowell) Dickey.^[1] In his early years, he remained a resident of Pine Bluff, where he spent the years 1940 and 1950.^[4][5]

Dickey's educational journey led him to graduate from Pine Bluff High School in 1957. Afterward, he commenced his college career at Hendrix College in Conway, Faulkner County, Arkansas, before transferring to the University of Arkansas (UA) in Fayetteville, Washington County, Arkansas. At UA, he completed his bachelor's degree in 1961.^[1][2]

On August 20, 1960, Dickey married Betty Clark in Lawrence County, Arkansas. He continued his academic pursuits at the University of Arkansas, where he earned his law degree in 1963. Subsequently, he was admitted to the bar in Arkansas and began a private law practice in Pine Bluff.^[1][2]

In addition to his legal career, Dickey found success in the business world, operating multiple prosperous Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream Stores and Taco Bell restaurants. He made a mark in the sports industry as the attorney for Arkansas basketball coach Eddie Sutton and as an agent for some of Sutton's top players, including Sidney Moncrief when they transitioned to professional careers.^[1][2]

In 1992, Jay Woodson Dickey Jr. made a significant shift into politics, running for Congress and becoming the first Republican to win a seat since Reconstruction. He was reelected three times, serving on the Committee on Appropriations and its subcommittees on Agriculture, National Security, Energy and Water, Transportation, Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education. Dickey was a strong supporter of gun rights and the National Rifle Association (NRA), positioning himself as their primary advocate in Congress. In 1996, he successfully sponsored an amendment that reduced the CDC budget by $2.6 million, an amount equal to the CDC's expenditure on gun research. His notable legislative action was the sponsorship of the Dickey-Wicker Amendment in 1995, which restricted federal funds for human embryonic stem cell research.^[1][2]

In 2000, Dickey faced controversy when he appeared to use political pressure to secure support from African-American farmers seeking payment from the Agriculture Department as part of a discrimination case settlement. Despite the local uproar, Dickey continued to assert the realities of the political landscape while working to expedite the payments.^[1][2]

The 2000 congressional race garnered national attention, with prominent figures like House Speaker Dennis Hastert and President Bill Clinton actively involved. Unfortunately, Dickey was defeated for reelection by state senator Mike Ross. Although he attempted to regain his seat in 2002, he faced a 22% gap and ultimately retired from electoral politics.^[1][2]

Following his congressional career, Dickey founded JD Consulting Co., specializing in federal government lobbying across various sectors, including tax matters, homeland security, children's healthcare, and infrastructure. He also contributed to Mike Huckabee's 2008 presidential campaign and wrote op-ed pieces on current issues.^[1][2]

In a surprising change of stance in July 2012, Dickey co-authored an op-ed piece in The Washington Post advocating for the restoration of public funds for research into gun safety. This shift marked a 180-degree change in his political outlook, emphasizing the need for research to prevent firearm injuries without infringing upon the rights of legitimate gun owners.^[1][2]

Jay Woodson Dickey Jr. passed away on April 20, 2017, in Pine Bluff, Jefferson County, Arkansas^[3], due to complications from Parkinson's disease.^[1] He was laid to rest at West Riverton Cemetery in Ludington, Mason County, Michigan.^[6][7]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10} Pruden III, William H., Ravenscroft School, Encyclopedia of Arkansas, last updated from 23 Jun 2023. "Jay Woodson Dickey Jr. (1939–2017)." Accessed 22 Oct 2023.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8} Wikipedia contributors, "Jay Dickey," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jay_Dickey&oldid=1174441737 (accessed October 23, 2023).
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current: Tributes; Publication Place: AR, US; URL: http://www.tributes.com/obituary/print_selections/104704318?type=1 Ancestry Record 7545 #797193175
4. ↑ 1940 United States Federal Census: Year: 1940; Census Place: Pine Bluff, Jefferson, Arkansas; Roll: m-t0627-00146; Page: 12A; Enumeration District: 35-43 Ancestry Record 2442 #101683496
5. ↑ 1950 United States Federal Census: National Archives at Washington, DC; Washington, D.C.; Seventeenth Census of the United States, 1950; Year: 1950; Census Place: Pine Bluff, Jefferson, Arkansas; Roll: 1010; Page: 73; Enumeration District: 35-37 Ancestry Record 62308 #31872911
6. ↑ U.S., Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current: Ancestry.com. U.S., Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012. Original data: Find a Grave. Find a Grave®. http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi. Ancestry Record 60525 #190487499
7. ↑ Newspaper Clipping, Albuquerque Journal, Albuquerque, New Mexico, Sat. - 2017. "'Trailblazer' Jay Dickey dies at 77." Accessed 22 Oct 2023.

See Also

• Wikidata: Item Q1684313