Abraham "Abe" Ross Dickerson

Abraham (Abe) Ross Dickerson, 25, of Des Moines, IA, passed away on May 31, 2023 of an overdose after a long battle with addiction.

Abe had a kind heart, was a hard worker and was very smart. He graduated from Waukee High School and DMACC and started taking classes at Iowa State in 8th grade.

If you knew Abe you probably debated a topic or two with him.  He had strong opinions and enjoyed a good discussion about science, history and politics.  He was well spoken and earned several scholarships that offered a full ride to college.  We all dreamed of a bright future for Abe.  We were confident he could have solved some of this world’s problems with his natural ability to understand very complex concepts.

Everyone who knew Abe loved him.  He was polite, respectful to everyone, and was always willing to help someone in need.  He had a soft heart and felt things deeper than most. 

Abe loved many things, especially everything about being in the outdoors.  He loved to hike.  He loved plants, trees and flowers.  He loved rocks and planets.  He loved to camp and to sit around a fire.  Some of our best memories of Abe will be of the times we spent with him in the outdoors.

Of all the things Abe loved in this world, he loved his family the most.  He treasured every minute spent with family.

Sadly, after years of being in and out of treatment and after graduations from Salvation Army’s Adult Rehabilitation program and most recently Sheepgate’s (Teen Challenge) program, Abe succumbed to his addictions.  We hold tight to the knowledge that Abe is no longer suffering with the grips of his addiction, that he has been fully healed and restored, and he is wrapped in the loving arms of Jesus Christ, our Savior.

Our family has chosen to speak truth about Abe and his addiction.  We know the pain and suffering of loving someone with an addiction and pray speaking the unashamed truth in love will make a difference to someone somewhere.

Abe is survived by his mother and father, Ken and Deb Dickerson, his brothers Nick Rose (Cherish), Kenny Dickerson (Brittney), and Ben Dickerson (Brooke); his sisters Ashley Jackson (Chad) and Gabe Schueler (Josh); nieces and nephews: Nathaniel, Audrey & Greysen Dickerson; Jaxon & Aria Rose; Landry & Leighton Schueler; Ford Jackson; and grandmother Dixie Williamson.  He is also survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Abe was proceeded in death by his birth mother Jen, his grandparents Marge and Lloyd Dickerson and grandfather Spencer Williamson.

A celebration of life service will be held on Monday, June 26 for family and friends of the family.  Please contact a family member for the service details. 

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Sheepgate in Colfax or Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center in Des Moines.