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RAY DIXON, 78, Loyall, passed away Wednesday, May 8, 2002 at the U.K. Medical Center.
Mr. Dixon was a veteran of the United States Navy having served during World War II. After his discharge he worked for Tecumseh Products in Tecumseh, Michigan before returning to Harlan to care for his ill mother. He then met and married his wife, Rita and moved back to Kentucky where he was employed by the Jewel Tea Co. until 1960. In that year, he entered Cumberland College and graduated in 1963 with a degree in business administration. He taught school at the Evarts High School from 1963 until 1973 when he became the principal of the Harlan Vocational School where he served until 1989. Ray was a 32nd degree Mason at the Loyall Lodge, a member of the Lions Club where he served one term as president. He enjoyed volunteering at Christ Hands Soup Kitchen where he served meals, washed dishes, and read the Bible. He became a Christian on December 12, 1949 and was baptized at Sunshine Baptist Church. In the mid 1960's he moved his membership to the Loyall First Baptist Church where he has remained an active member. Ray was born April 22, 1924 at Kenvir to the late George and Maude Pack Dixon. Besides his parents, he is preceded in death by two brothers, Albert and Walter Dixon, and a sister, Clara Mildred. Survivors include his wife of 51-and-one-half years, Rita Stewart Dixon of Loyall; one son, Dennis Doan and wife, Pam, Ray's prayer partner of Loyall; one daughter, Sue Wake and husband, Eric of Williamsburg; three grandchildren, Rodney Doan of Lexington, Kimberly Wake of Williamsburg, Jennifer Wake Floyd and husband, Corey of Williamsburg; two great-grandchildren, Jacob and Megan Howard of Williamsburg; one brother, Paul Dixon of Akron, Ohio; one sister, Sue Mays of Akron, Ohio; several nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends to mourn his passing; and a special neighbor, Morris Wilson. Graveside service and interment were held Saturday, May 11 at the Lee Memorial Gardens at Woodway, Virginia with Rev. Shannon Benefiel and Rev. Ernest Boggs officiating. Pallbearers were Mitch Barrett, Philip Smith, Jim Shoemaker, Ed Hall, David Wireman, Wayne Collette, Kenny Watkins and Don White. Honorary pallbearers was the Adult Men 3 Sunday School Class. In lieu of flowers, the family asks the memorials be made to Cumberland College, 6191 College Station Drive, Williamsburg, KY 40769 or First Baptist Church of Loyall, Box 220, Loyall, KY 40854. Anderson & Laws Funeral Home in charge. Obituary information courtesy of Croley Funeral Home. |