Nov 23, 2022

“Mr. Bob” Dickey, principal in Dickey Farms, dies

Robert “Bob” Lee Dickey II, a prominent Georgia peach grower, died Nov. 16.

Dickey, 94, known as “Bobby” and “Mr. Bob,” was a principal with Dickey Farms Inc., in Musella, Georgia. He was the third generation family member working on the company run by fourth and fifth generation family members.

After marrying Jane Mobley Dickey in 1948, Dickey moved to Musella where he joined the family farming operation, working with his father, Wilmer Dickey, and grandfather and namesake, R.L. Dickey. In 1897, R.L. Dickey planted the first acreage of the famed Elberta peach variety. Wilmer Dickey died in 1955.

Born in Macon, Georgia, in 1928, Dickey attended grammar school in a two classroom school. He graduated from Gordon Military High School and attended Mercer University.

Dickey is survived by his wife of 74 years, daughter Marjie Dickey Reehling (John), his son, Robert Lee Dickey III (Cynde), two grandchildren, Robert Lee Dickey IV (Stacy), and Marjie Dickey Roquemore (Tray), and two great-granddaughters, Scarlett Jane Dickey and Mary Martin Roquemore. Robert Lee Dickey III and Cynde and grandson Robert Lee Dickey IV and his wife Stacy, run the company. The elder Dickey was preceded in death by his parents and younger brother, Wilmer Moore Dickey.

The Dickeys grow more than 20 peach varieties through more than 100,000 trees on acreage exceeding 1,000 spread through several counties. The Dickeys operate Georgia’s oldest continuously operating peach packinghouse, an area landmark constructed in 1936.

Dickey was a forward-thinker who introduced labor-saving equipment. Dickey was the first Georgia packer to install brushing machinery to remove peach fuzz and was one of the first to adapt hydrocooling that places peaches in 35-degree water to remove grove heat, field dust and slow ripening.

In addition to peaches, the Dickeys in the past also grew row crops and ran dairy and timber operations.

A longtime member of the Georgia Peach Council and the National Peach Council, Dickey was a board member and president of both organizations. He was honored with being named “Mr. Peach.” Involved in many civic activities and businesses, Dickey was also a board member and past president of the South Central Farm Credit.

“There has been no peach grower who ever enjoyed the start of each year’s peach season as much as Mr. Bob,” family members said in an obituary. Dickey Farms’ packinghouse could not start its first day of packing without Mr. Dickey shouting “Let’s Go” and signaling the beginning of packing. “He was very proud of continuing Dickey Farms’ tradition of growing the sweetest peaches in the south for 125 years,” family members said.

Dickey was remembered in a celebration of his Life on Nov. 19. He was a deacon emeritus at Musella Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Musella Baptist Church, PO Box 56, Musella, Georgia 31066; Macon Rotary Club, PO Box 4521, Macon, Georgia 31208; Kappa Alpha Order, 115 Liberty Hall, Lexington, Virginia 24450, or the donor’s choice. Tributes can be expressed at Dickey’s obituary.