James Kenneth Dixon, 90, passed away on August 29, 2018, in Gresham, Oregon. He was born in Enumclaw, Washington on October 8, 1927, to Kenneth and Hazel (Hockett) Dixon. He attended Columbia Academy in Battleground, Washington and graduated in 1946. In May of 1948, he married his first wife, Frances.
James and Frances taught at a two room schoolhouse in Toledo, Oregon. James taught grades 5 – 8, and he was an excellent teacher who was admired by his pupils. During his time as a teacher, he was working towards his Bachelor’s Degree in Education at Walla Walla College. He graduated in 1961. He then worked as a teacher at Portland Union Academy/Adventist Academy for 15 years, where he taught Physical Education. Towards the end of his career, he worked at Hoodview Jr. academy in Boring, Oregon. Frances also worked at Hoodview, and she started the Special Education Program for struggling students. It was so successful that students from other schools were being sent there for the guidance that the program offered.
In 1988, James retired from teaching and he was able to focus on his hobbies and service to the community. James was involved with Maranatha Ministries, and he was involved in Mission Trips to Mexico and Central America. He was involved with the Mt. Hood Ski Patrol and Search and Rescue for many years. He was also involved with the Columbia Academy Alumni, and he enjoyed attending functions to catch up with his classmates. Serving the Lord was extremely important to him. He was a quiet and humble man, yet he had many stories to tell from his many adventures.
In addition to community service, James was an incredibly active man who would push himself physically to achieve great feats. Some of his accomplishments include riding his bike from his home on 154th and Powell all the way to Timberline, climbing, and riding his bike back home in 24 hours, climbing all Three Sisters in one day and running the base of Mt. Hood in one day. Climbing was one of his greatest passions, and he soloed the Matterhorn and climbed all 54 14,000 feet peaks in Colorado one summer. He encouraged many people to pursue climbing as a hobby, and he had the opportunity to lead many climbs. Biking was also a passion he pursued. He rode his bike from Portland, Oregon to Portland, Maine one summer. He also enjoyed backpacking, fishing, and traveling.
James will forever be remembered by his family as a man who had a passion for achieving feats that many could only dream of. He will forever be missed by his family and friends.
James was preceded in death by his first wife Frances Dixon in 2003. He married his second wife Lillie Dixon in December of 2005, and she passed in 2015. He is survived by his children, Barbara Gohl, Bruce Dixon and James William “Bill” Dixon; sister in law Ruth Davis; five grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, October 7, 2018, from 2 pm to 4 pm at the Sunnyside Seventh-day Adventist Church.
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