• Gabe Semenza •
• Originally published September 21, 2009 at 5:12 p.m., updated September 22, 2009 at 9:25 a.m.

• SERVICES FOR KOLBY DICKENS

  All services are at Oaklawn Funeral Home, 900 Navidad Road in Edna.

  Visitation is Thursday from noon to 2 p.m.

  The funeral is 2 p.m. Thursday

  NEED HELP DEALING WITH LOSS?

  If you struggle with loss ...

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SERVICES FOR KOLBY DICKENS

All services are at Oaklawn Funeral Home, 900 Navidad Road in Edna.

Visitation is Thursday from noon to 2 p.m.

The funeral is 2 p.m. Thursday

NEED HELP DEALING WITH LOSS?

If you struggle with loss or other life problems, you can call the Gulf Bend Center's 24-Hour Crisis Hotline at 1-877-723-3422.

EDNA - Kolby Dickens always said, "Everything happens for a reason."

Maybe so. Still, the 23-year-old's haunting words hardly offer solace to his grieving mother.

"Maybe he always said that because one day this was going to happen," said Anita George, Dickens' 53-year-old, shaken mother. "Maybe he said that knowing we'd have to cope with this."

A train killed Dickens early Sunday morning. Police, who patrolled South East Street in Edna, heard constant blaring from the Kansas City Southern. When the train stopped, its engineer, certain the train hit a man, ran to officers. The engineer's fears were true.

Dickens was alone on Dry Creek Rail Road Trestle when the train hit him, police say. He walked onto a stretch of tracks that crossed an open field. Police found no signs of foul play, they say.

"I don't have any reason to believe anyone was present with him when he died," said Edna Police Chief Clinton Wooldridge. A cell phone, found near Dickens' body, helped officers to locate family.

If Dickens died alone, he lived in loving company, his mother said.

Dickens was a standout football player for the Edna High School Cowboys. He played offensive and defensive line, and even punted when called upon.

"There's no doubt our line is the strength of our team," Mike Menefee, former Edna High School head coach, told the Advocate in 2004. "Kolby Dickens has the potential to be one of the best in the area."

Dickens earned several athletic honors, including a spot on the All-District and Advocate All-Area Football teams. The 6-foot-6-inch lineman was also an honors student. He graduated in 2005.

After high school, Dickens struggled to find a career path that compelled him. Recently, though, he'd found new life as a plumber.

"He'd just gotten his card for his apprenticeship," his mother said. "When he worked as a plumber, he loved it. He told his dad, 'You're going to have a plumber as a son.'"

Dickens' father, Billy Dickens, did not return phone calls on Monday as he made arrangements with Oaklawn Funeral Home in Edna.

Kalea Zikuhr, Dickens' 32-year-old Ganado sister, wasn't ready to talk, either.

"I don't know if I can do this," she said. "My mom basically said it all."

Moments before, the mother described her son as broad-shouldered, good looking and friendly.

"Kolby loved life, and he lived it to the fullest," she said. "He loved God. He loved his family and his friends. Every time he'd go up to someone, he always made sure he gave them a hug."

During his spare time, Dickens enjoyed fishing, hunting and bowling. On Sunday and Wednesday nights, he'd leave Edna for Victoria's Riverside Park. There, he'd play volleyball with friends.

He leaves Kia Dickens, his 20-year-old Victoria sister, with memories and questions. Police continue to investigate his death.

George, his mother, crumbled with emotion. She insists she knows how he died.

"Oh, God," the mother said. "It was just a terrible accident. Growing up, he was such a happy child. Beautiful expression in his eyes. He was just the best son a mother could have."

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