Biography: 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, AR, Arkansas Best Corporation Campus in Fort Smith, AR, 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 was a member of The Little Rock Realtors Association, serving as its president in 1972 and was Arkansas Realtor of the year in 1971.  

Dickson was an Elder of Second Presbyterian Church, and he maintained an active participation to improve the community.  He was the founder of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Pulaski County and received its first Big Brother of the Year Award.  He was Chairman of the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce in 1986, President of Fifty for the Future in 1996, a twelve year member of the UALR Board of Visitors and its Chairman in 1995 and 1996, board member of Lyon College for twenty years and Chairman of its finance committee, a board member of St. Vincent’s Infirmary Medical Center, board member of St. Mary Academy, board member of Downtown Partnership and one of its founders, board member of Pulaski County Red Cross, and numerous others. In 1999 he was the recipient of the William F. Rector Award, given annual for Fifty for the Future for outstanding community service.  His most recent activities were chairing Little Rocks Research Park Community and assisting with projects for UALR’s district and job borrow neighborhood association.  Work with the research Park Community lead to his 2011 appointment by Little Rocks mayor to serve a six term on the board of the Little Rock Technology Park Authority. 
 
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 AR 72204, or Second Presbyterian Church, 600 Pleasant Valley Dr, Little Rock AR 72227. Arrangements are under the direction of Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com