L. DICKSON FLAKE
died on June 30, 2020 at the age of 81. This day was the anniversary of his wife’s death, Linda Blaine Flake, one year ago.
He was born August 10, 1938 to Leon Flake and Marguerite Flake, both deceased.
Dickson graduated from Little Rock Central High School in 1956 and earned both BBA and MBA degrees from the University of Michigan School of Business, graduating first in his class. At the University, he was a member of Delta Sigma Phi fraternity and both Beta Sigma Phi and Phi Eta Sigma honorary fraternities.
In 1971, Dickson joined three other partners to form Barnes, Quinn, Flake and Anderson, predecessor of the Little Rock - Bentonville commercial real estate firm of Colliers International. It is now the largest commercial real estate company in Arkansas. Dickson treasured his client relationships more than any except family. He instilled a simple, easy-to-follow value system in the firm - - - ethics over client, client over firm, firm over self. He became known for his ability to manage real estate development and was selected by many corporations and institutions to serve as development manager, including such signature projects as The Savers Federal Building (now USAble Corporate Center), Systematics Corporate Campus (now Fidelity), J.B. Hunt Headquarters Campus in Lowell, Ark., Arkansas Best Corporation Campus in Fort Smith, Ark., Jones Eye Institute at UAMS, the State Urban Campus at 7th and Main Streets in Little Rock and St. John’s Residential Community in the Heights, Little Rock.
Dickson was invited to membership in the American Society of Real Estate Counselors in 1973 (the youngest member invited to date) and served as its President in 1989. He was awarded the CCIM organization award from the Realtors National Marketing Institute and SIOR designation from the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors. In 1982, he received the Snyder Award from the CCIM organization for the most creative real estate exchange in the United States. He served as president of the The Little Rock Realtors Association in 1971.
In 2011, Dickson was elected to the Arkansas Business Hall of Fame. Also, in that year, Lyon College Board of Trustees awarded him with an Honorary Doctor of Humanities. As recently as June 2020 Dickson was honored with the Business and Professional Leader of the Year Award from the Rotary Club of Little Rock.
As education was always a primary focus, he was instrumental in founding The Tech Park and seeing it through to a thriving entity which contributes to Little Rock and the Nation’s next business entrepreneurs.
Survivors are his beloved family; a daughter, Leslye Blaine Shellam and her husband Raymond of Little Rock; an adored granddaughter, Sarah Blaine Shellam; brother John J. Flake (Karen); and brother-in-law, Fletcher Blaine Clement. His wife of 59 years, Linda Blaine Flake, died on the same day one year ago. Two other brothers, Dr. Gordon P. Flake (Cristina) and Thomas L.D. Flake predeceased him. He also leaves a close extended family and numerous friends.
Memorials may be sent to the L. Dickson Flake Endowed Scholarship, UA Little Rock Office of Alumni and Development, 2801 S. University Ave., Little Rock, Ark. 72204. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.