Steve Dickerson was born Stephen Eugene Dickerson in Santa Ana, California, to parents, Lawrence Dickerson and Lois Irene Mason on July 21, 1952. His parents were married on a ship to shore call while his dad was at sea. His father served in the USMC for 18 years and retired as a sergeant at Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow.

Steve was the oldest of four children. Early in his life the family lived in Santa Ana with his extended Mason family. His mother had 11 siblings, so there was never a dull moment. He had an especially close relationship with his aunt Wanda Mason-Lopez who was only five years older than him.

When Steve was 10, his father was stationed at Ft. Irwin. He spent his childhood wreaking havoc in the desert around Daggett and Barstow with his buddies, exploring the caves near Calico Ghost Town and riding bikes. This is where he met Carl Wilkey who he kept in touch with his whole life.

In Barstow, Steve developed skills he would carry with him for the rest of his life. He was a fierce protector of others with an unwavering morality and a tireless commitment for the well-being of those around him.

Steve joined Marine Corps when he was 17 and graduated from boot camp on his eighteenth birthday in 1970 at the MCRD in San Diego. One of the stipulations of his enlistment was that he never be stationed in Barstow.

During his military career he was deployed on several different ships, stationed in Hawaii for three years, Japan for a year, visited Seoul and Pusan Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Okinawa, Thailand, The Philippines, Singapore, Australia, and Oman. He served during the Vietnam War but was not deployed there. He was deployed for Desert Storm and spent his time in the Persian Gulf on the USS Fort McHenry.

Throughout Steve’s military career he was a Drill Instructor twice, a helicopter Crew Chief and a Maintenance Administrator for CH-46 Helicopters amongst other helicopters. Over the years Steve rose through the ranks of the Marine Corps and retired as a Sergeant Major after 25 years in 1995, while stationed at El Toro.

Steve served as a reserve police officer for the city of Stanton for several years while in the Marine Corp as well as Buena Park. It was a natural fit for him to transition into a second career as a police officer. He put himself through the police academy in 1994 at the age of 42 and was hired as a full-time sworn officer in April of 1995 for Buena Park Police Department.

Steve served as a patrol officer, assistant reserve coordinator, range master, motor officer, detective, color guard, BPPD’s official bagpiper, and Field Training Officer.

Steve promoted to Corporal in September 2004, and Sergeant in December of 2006. He retired in 2009.

Steve wore many hats throughout his retirement which included volunteer work as bagpiper for UCR Bagpipe Band, Semper Fi #1 Memorial Honor Detail at Riverside National Cemetery and the California Police Memorial Foundation in Sacramento.

He was also a Scoutmaster for Troop 54 in Corona, a volunteer for Young Marines as well as involved with score keeping for baseball games.

Steve was also “The driveway movie organizer” during the COVID years. His neighborhood would come together once a week and watch movies from their driveways, projected onto a large screen in the driveway.

His greatest love was for family including his wife Dawn of 28 years, his children, Steffany, Sean and Dulin. He is also survived by his sisters, Linda Wilcoxen, Laura Smith and Sandy McQueen, as well as his grandchildren, Gage, Lance, Gary and Samantha and great grandchildren, Cassidy, Braxton, Brooklyn, Kaiden, Landon, Zayn, Wyatt and Madeline.

His second greatest love during retirement was for his 28 guitars, he was active on the Ultimate Guitar tabs app where he recorded and shared his passion for music. He also performed as a street busker once in Lake Havasu and once in downtown Riverside.

Steve received a kidney cancer diagnosis eight years ago. The last four years were a difficult battle for him and his family, but through it all he was a strong warrior.

Steve passed away peacefully at home with family by his side on June 9, 2026.

Funeral Service

June 25, 2026, 1:45PM – Please arrive 30 minutes early at the staging area as directed by the gate staff. Vehicles will be escorted from the staging area to the shelter where the service will be held.

Riverside National Cemetery

22495 Van Buren Boulevard, Riverside, CA 92518

Celebration of Life – Directly after the service at cemetery

Shamrocks Grill and Pub

1275 Magnolia Ave, Corona, CA 92879

Please wear your favorite Hawaiian shirt, uniform or kilt and join us in sharing the fun moments you shared with him as we toast his well lived life.

Flowers can be delivered to Thomas Miller Mortuary

1118 E. Sixth Street, Corona, 92879

951-737-3244

Please arrange delivery for the day before the service

Dawn Dickerson 

909-229-5937 For texting