Lifelong Fayette resident Jeff Dickey, age 60, passed away on September 11, 2024, at Boone Hospital Center in Columbia, Mo., due to surgical complications.

Jeffrey Eugene Dickey was born September 21, 1963, at Keller Hospital in Fayette. He was the youngest of two sons born to the late Edward B. and Kathryn “Betty” (Downey) Dickey. Jeff graduated from Fayette High School with the class of 1981. Jeff was expected to follow in the family tradition of farming the 7th generation ran homestead, but instead decided to go his separate ways and pursue his love of racing. Jeff built his first car, a ‘68 Camaro that he would rip and run down the loop, and he gained an apprenticeship under Earl Benus at Rupp Automotive on the business loop in Columbia, Mo. It was during this time that he met the love of his life, Shelly McBaine of Columbia, Mo., and married her on August 17, 1985. The couple shared two children and over 39 years of loving marriage. Together with their family’s support, Jeff bought the machine equipment from Rupp Automotive and started JD Engine & Machine in 1988. For 36 years, Jeff has run one of the best equipped machine shops in Central Missouri.

When Jeff wasn’t in the machine shop you could find him at the racetrack. He spent many a weekend in the 90s at Moberly Speedway, helping his customers and friends in the pits. He didn’t just build the engines, he also raced them, proving himself on and off the track until 2009. One of his family’s fondest memories was the 2008 Pro Mod Class at the St. Louis World Street Challenge, setting the world record, at the time, as the quickest centrifugal-supercharged car at 6.25 at 227 MPH.

After the death of his brother, Jeff tracked down his brother’s ‘68 Camaro and fully restored it. For the past 20 years, Jeff has been known for his classic car restorations, his expertise in specifically Camaros, and his own personal car collection.

Jeff was not just a business owner but an avid family man who enjoyed spending time working alongside his son-in-law, farming the homestead, and hunting with friends and family. He was also constantly learning, taking college classes at Central Methodist University, engaging in political discussions, and had an immense love of history. He also enjoyed traveling out west, overseas, and fishing in Alaska.

Survivors include his wife of the home, Shelly Dickey; two children, Wendy (Robert) Cole of Fayette, Mo., and Edward “Eddie” J. (Tabatha) Dickey, II of Hallsville, Mo.; and four grandchildren, Mathias Cole, Emma Dickey, Micah Cole, and Weston Dickey. Jeff is also survived by numerous friends and colleagues. In addition to his parents, Jeff was preceded in death by his brother, Edward B. Dickey, Jr.

He was a proud legacy member of the National Rifle Association, and a member of the National Hot Rod Association, and the American Drag Racing League.

Funeral services for Mr. Dickey will be at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, at Friemonth-Freese Funeral Home in Fayette, with Alan Beckett officiating. Visitation will be from 5 until 7 p.m. on Monday, September 16, 2024, at the funeral home. Interment will follow the services at Walnut Ridge Cemetery in Fayette.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to St. Mary School, c/o Friemonth-Freese Funeral Service, 174 Hwy. 5 & 240 N., Fayette, MO 65248.