Thomas Dixon

Thomas Dixon of Balsam, NC, died Saturday, June 28, 2008, at home, surrounded by his family. Tom was born June 5, 1924, in Winston-Salem, NC, the third of five children, to Jarma Edwards and Grace Chalmers Dixon. He spent his formative years in Jacksonville, FL, and excelled in athletics from an early age, becoming a three-sport letterman at Robert E. Lee High, where he graduated in 1942. Tom then enrolled at the University of Florida, where he participated in varsity football, basketball and track, and was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. In 1943, Tom had to put college on hold to answer the call of military duty during WWII. He joined the Marine Corps, where he achieved the rank of corporal and served as a demolitions expert for the Fifth Marine Division. He was eventually deployed to the South Pacific and was in one of the first waves of marines to land on Iwo Jima. He was wounded in battle and was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star for his bravery. After his recuperation and discharge, Tom re-enrolled at the University of Florida, where he continued to excel as a student athlete. He graduated in 1949 with a BS Degree in Forestry. In 1950, he married the love of his life, the former Joyce Arden, who now survives him. In 1953, they moved to North Carolina, where they raised their family and remained for their entire lives together. They celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary in April of this year. Tom spent the majority of his working career as a salesman and sales manager in the building supply industry with the US Gypsum, Flintkote, and Certainteed companies, and won many awards for his salesmanship. In addition, he remained active in athletics, becoming an excellent tennis player, and was one of the founding members, and later the Manager of the Raleigh Racquet Club in Raleigh, NC, where he resided for 22 years. He and Joyce retired in 1983 and moved from Raleigh to their retirement home in the North Carolina Mountains, where they were very active in their community of Balsam, NC. Tom was a member of Hazelwood Presbyterian Church and served as a Church Deacon. Tom's greatest passions were his family, his home states of North Carolina and Florida, and sports – especially his beloved Florida Gators. He was extraordinarily honest and courageous in all his affairs. He will be greatly missed. In addition to his wife, Joyce, Tom is survived by his siblings: Bud Dixon, Bill Dixon and Grace Dixon Bartleson; his children, Arden Dixon Knight (Gordon), Thomas E. Dixon (Cathe), William C. Dixon (Ann), James A. Dixon (Debbie), Timothy R. Dixon (Natasha); grandchildren: Ashley Dixon Knight (Emy), Kelly Knight Duncan (Brian), William C. Dixon, Jr. (Sarah), Catherine Christina Dixon, Arden Alexandria Dixon, Madison Taylor Dixon, Carlelle Chalmers Dixon; great-grandchildren: Jayla Grace Dixon, Grady Watson Knight and Baby Duncan, As well as many special nieces and nephews and their families. His parents and one brother, Richard, predeceased him. A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 1, 2008 at Hazelwood Presbyterian Church with Reverend Larry Wilson officiating. Following the service, military honors will be conducted at the church. The family will also receive friends immediately following the service at the church. The family would like to thank Drs. Gafford and Beshears, and all the staff at the Asheville VA Hospital and West Care Hospice of Jackson County for their care and compassion. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in the name of Thomas Dixon to : West Care Hospice of Jackson County, 132 Sylva Plaza, Sylva, NC 28779 or Hazelwood Presbyterian Church, 368 Hazelwood Avenue, Waynesville, NC 28786.

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