Howard E. Dixon Sr.

Howard E. Dixon, 94, of Freeport, FL and Smiths, AL passed away peacefully Saturday, July 8, 2017 at Gentiva Hospice. “Pappy,” as he liked to be called, was born November 4, 1922 in Milton, FL to Charlie and Rosa Lee Helms Dixon. His formative years were spent in Noma, FL, where he was raised by his Uncle Sunt Dixon and Foster Parents Jep and Minnie Pate. After working in the Civilian Conservation Corp in California and the Florida Keys, he served during WWII in the South Pacific as an LCVP boat pilot in the U.S. Navy. Upon returning from WWII he married his pre-war sweetheart, Willa Rae Moseley (“Aunt Rae”, as he later came to lovingly refer to her). They lived in Columbus, GA and raised two children: a son, Eddie Dixon of Alabaster AL (1947-2011) and a daughter, Sandi McClellan (Lamar) of Columbus , GA. He retired from the Muscogee County School System's Maintenance Department, Civil Service, and the U. S. Naval Reserve. After retirement, he and Aunt Rae left their Salem, Al farm to live in Freeport, FL where they could relax, fish, and have a small garden. After 52-years of marriage, Aunt Rae lost her battle with cancer in 1998. Pappy continued to live in Freeport, FL until 2013 when he returned to the Columbus, GA / Smiths, AL area to be near family who could help with his failing health. He lived happily here until a fall and broken hip in August 2016 resulted in a steady decline in his health, another fall and another broken hip, and eventually his death. He is survived by his daughter, 4 Grandchildren (Jennifer Talley, Mike Dixon, Rodney Campbell, and Dena Bedsole), 7 Great Grandchildren, 5 Great-Great Grandchildren, several loving nieces, nephews, and in-laws, and special friends Sara Jean and Val of Smiths, AL, and Lonice, TJ, James, and Anita of Freeport, FL.

Visitation will be at Striffler-Hamby Funeral Home in Phenix City, AL from 12:00 to 1:00 EDT Wednesday, July 12 followed immediately by funeral services in the chapel and military honors graveside at Lakeview Memory Gardens Cemetery in Phenix City, AL.

Flowers will be accepted. Donations to Gentiva Hospice in Columbus, GA would be greatly appreciated.