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Colonel James Thomas (Jim) Dixon, born Orange, TX, Jan. 10, 1925, passed away July 13, 2014, in Williamsburg, VA. He was the son of the late John and Luella Stark Dixon, and was preceded in death by his four brothers and sisters, Dorothy Jane, John Allen, George Cornelius Dixon, and Phyllis Dixon Ross, and also by the love of his life, Helen (Pat) Dixon. Jim grew up in Shreveport, LA, and began his academic career at Centenary College at 16, after graduating as valedictorian from Fairpark High School. He entered West Point Military Academy during the war and graduated in 1946 after a 3-year accelerated course of study. He had a stellar career in the military, and was first sent abroad to post-war Occupation Germany, where he met his wife Pat in Heidelberg. They married in 1950. In 1955, he was named the Assistant Army Attaché to Karachi, Pakistan, and then returned stateside to do a master's in history at Columbia University. Upon completing his degree, he taught in the Social Sciences Department at West Point. Jim served a year as unit commander in post-war Korea in 1961, and commanded the 319th artillery battalion of the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, KY, in 1964. From there he was sent to the Pentagon where he was handpicked by the exclusive Stanford Research Institute to do advanced work on computerized military budgeting. He ended his 30-year military career as the U.S. Military Attaché to Spain in 1976, where he was honored by then Secretary of State, Henry Kissinger. Upon retirement, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal. Jim taught at the University of South Carolina, and then served as the Dean of Valley Forge Military Academy of Pennsylvania. He and Pat continued to travel the world, finally settling in Staunton, Virginia. Jim was a distinguished scholar and a devoted husband and father. He is adored and survived by his five children Katie (Daniel Webster), Polly (Andrew Glassman), Nancy (Bill Lavender), James (Jay) Jr. (Terri), and John W. (Pam) Dixon, three grandchildren, John W. (Jay) Dixon, Jr., Camille (Camdynne) Dixon, James N. (T-Jay) Dixon, and two great grandchildren, Roxanne (Roxy) and Celeste Lavender.The family would like to thank Nydia Carnahan and the staff at Williamsburg Landing's Woodhaven for their care of Jim, Cynthia Lee for her constant love and support, and Katie Dixon for her tireless care of both Jim and Patty. The service will be held in the Jamestown/Yorktown Room, 5700 Williamsburg Landing Drive from 10-12, Thursday, July 17. In lieu of flowers, the family would like you to donate to one of the following charitable organizations or one of your choosing. www.dav.org Disabled American Vets or www.alzfdn.org Alzheimer's Foundation
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Julie and I send our condolences. My mother said Jim was a wonderful person and a great boss to work for, and she was right.
Robert Bieck
July 22, 2014
Peggy and I had the honor of meeting him several years ago. We send our sympathy and compassion to all the Dixons.
Charlie Bishop
July 21, 2014
My deepest condolences. I never knew him but in knowing Jay I think he must have been a great man.
Jim
July 17, 2014
To the Dixon family, you have my deepest sympathy. May the God of all comfort be with you.
July 16, 2014
Katie & family, I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your Dad.
My thoughts are with you all. Although I did not know him personally, Katie always spoke of him with the highest regard.
Peace & Light, Kali Girasek
July 16, 2014
For all the Dixons,
We, too, are in the deepest sorrow.
Have sent an e-mail to Nancy to pass to all.
Sadly,
Shirley and Dick Fox
July 14, 2014
For All the Dixons,
It was with complete sorry we learned of the passing of Jim. Forgive us for not keeping in touch, but we have been in the business of moving to North Carolina to a retirement community.
Both Jim and Pat were persons of the highest caliber, and you can be proud of them Their service to our country during active duty and later was an inspiration to us.
We will send a more detailed e-mail to Nancy for her to pass to all.
With tears, Prayers and the Certainty they are now at Home.
Shirley and Dick Fox
July 14, 2014
Nancy, Polly, Katie, Jay, John and all your families, I am so sorry to hear of your dad's passing. My memories of him are of a fun and fun-loving really, really nice man. I know you will miss him, my thoughts and prayers are with you all. Susan (Fox) Sorensen
Susan Sorensen
July 14, 2014
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