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Dickie Cline, 75, of Baisden, departed his earthly body Monday, April 13, 2020 to drive on the streets of gold at his new home in Heaven.
Born July 27, 1944 at Baisden, he was the baby boy of the late Emmett and Verda (Davis) Cline. Being the youngest boy of twelve kids had its perks as he always said his sisters had him spoiled from the beginning.
Waiting to greet him at the gates of Heaven included his dad and mom, his brothers: Jimmy, Kelly, Clarence, and Ronald Cline; his sisters: Rosie Keys, Iness Testerman, Yvonne and Gail Cline, and a special nephew Richard Cline who was named after him.
As a very young adult, Dickie was in an almost fatal motorcycle accident that left him unable to walk for months and caused him to forever have a physical handicap. Some people would have given up after that, but Dickie was determined to make the greatest life he could. He saw a beautiful young girl, Jean, walking home from school one day and decided he was going to marry her. He knew it was destiny when she proved she could change the gears in his sports car faster than him. Dickie was no stranger to hard work and together he and Jean built a successful trucking company, Family Tradition Trucking, from the ground up. There wasn’t a truck he couldn’t work on or a place in southern West Virginia Dickie hadn’t trucked a piece of coal.
When he wasn’t driving or working on a coal truck, Dickie enjoyed traveling. In 1988, he and Jean bought a piece of property in Dandridge, Tennessee which quickly became their home away from home. They loved to drive and ‘get lost’ to explore new places. Dickie loved working on old cars, especially his ’76 Triumph, and with Jean right beside him to reach him a wrench, he was always in a project. This was a passion he passed on to every member of his family whether you were blood related or not.
Dickie’s greatest legacy is without a doubt his family that he leaves behind to cherish his memory. He is survived by his bride of almost 48 years “Emma Jean” as only he could get by with calling her. The two were married on July 22, 1972 in a small ceremony in Grundy, Virginia. Throughout the life they created together they welcomed a son, James Emmett (Tennille Cline) and a daughter, Patricia Jean (Nicholas Brown) into the world. He was a devoted father who worked hard to make sure his family enjoyed every minute of life and knew how important it was to love each other. He was proud of his children and wouldn’t hesitate to tell you how special they were. He especially treasured their spouses and loved them both like his own. Those same sisters that spoiled him as a little boy are left to celebrate his life, Reda (Shelby) Jones of Ohio, and Dorothy and Sharon Cline of Baisden. He also leaves behind a host of nieces and nephews, many of whom he treated like his own children and a prayerful mother-in-law, Maudie Smith. Whether he taught you how to drive a coal truck, change a flat tire, or took you to Tennessee, Dickie left a lasting impression on your heart.
While Dickie loved to talk about fast engines, old coal trucks, and memories made with his Emma Jean, his greatest love was his grandchildren. Dickie took pride in his role of being Papaw. Trucking coal soon became old and spoiling the grandbabies was his new game. James and Keira Cline of Baisden, Avagail and Dominick Brown of Hampden, and Jeana and Emilee Cline of Virginia will forever hold on to the memories of drinking Pawpaw’s pop (because for some reason it just tasted better), riding his scooter up and down the hollow, and watching cartoons as loud as you wanted together. Of course, you could not go home until Papaw had properly pinched your jaw.
Friends may gather with the family Thursday, April 16, 2020 from 1:00 to 2:00 pm at the Mounts Funeral Home Chapel, where funeral services will commence at 2:00 pm with his longtime friend, Rev. Clyde Endicott officiating. Burial will follow in the Cline Family Cemetery at Baisden. Due to the current social gathering recommendations from the government, we request the number of individuals be kept to 10 or less in the building at one time.
Those bestowed with the honor to carry Dickie to his final resting place include Emmett Cline, James Cline, Nicholas Brown, Chad Cline, Ronnie Mounts, Eddie Smith, CJ Cline and Brian Colangelo.
His sly grin and gentle, benevolent heart will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. He wasn’t a hero known around the world, but a hero he was to us. Rest in Peace Daddy Dick, we love you.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dickie Cline, please visit our floral store.