On December 16, 2018, George “Donnie” Dixon Jr. fell asleep next to the love of his life and woke in the hands of the Lord. Known to most as “Donnie” and “Pops” or “Poppa” to those HE loved the most, Donnie lived life to the fullest.
Born on January 3, 1948 in Washington D.C., Donnie spent most of his young life in Northeast D.C. where he attended Eastern High School. Donnie joined the U.S. Marines in 1966 and served during the Vietnam War. Upon his honorable discharge in 1970, Donnie came back to Washington D.C. and began his lifelong career as a painter. While he worked for several companies including the Veterans Administration, Donnie was never so proud as when he opened his own painting business with his partner Ronnie Gordon. His love for painting led him to meet his great love and the woman who would become his wife, Ruth “Debbie” Dixon. And, after several years of asking, they were married on a snowy October day in 1979.
Donnie loved his family and worked every day for many years to provide for them. Debbie would later say “That’s a hard-working sucker right there”. A proud veteran, Donnie was always in the market for another hat, jacket, t-shirt, pin or other veteran memorabilia to add to his vast collection of tapes, clothes, model cars, tools, painting equipment, and anything else he could sneak into the house. He also loved classic cars, including his 1968 Mustang, and spent a good deal of time after retiring cruising with his car club Unity Thunder. When he was not with the car club, you could find Donnie on his boat fishing and talking “stuff” with his buddies, sons and grandsons.
But at the end of the day, nothing made Donnie happier than falling asleep in his armchair in his den with his house filled to overflowing with his wife and children Donnie Jr, Link and Lynn, grandchildren Joe, Shay, Bayjn, Jonathan and Madison, and great-grandchildren Kenleigh, Shane and Mila. Also surviving Donnie are his sisters Gail and Georgene, Sister-in-laws Ira and Gail, Brothers-in-law Ivan and Chris, Mother-in-law Adelaide and many nieces and nephews.
Friends and family are invited to a Celebration of Life on Friday, December 21, 2018 at 4 pm at Robert E. Evans Funeral Home, 16000 Annapolis Road, Bowie, MD 20715. Visiting will be held from 2-4 pm with a reception to follow the service. Donnie will be buried privately at a military cemetery at a later date. The family invites you to view and sign Donnie’s guestbook at www.robertevansfuneralhome.com
