1925
Frank
2008
Frank Dixon
March 13, 1925 — February 13, 2008
Frank Leroy Dixon, Jr., 82 years young, passed away Wednesday, February 13, 2008 at his home following a short illness and bout with cancer. .
He was born March 13th, 1925 in Bushnell, Illinois, the son of Frank L. Dixon and Lucy Faye (Harrah) Dixon. Frank was the sixth of seven children. As a boy, Frank demonstrated the work ethic that he continued through life, working for his father at the Bushnell Waterworks, training horses, and delivering telegrams. At 18 years of age, Frank enlisted in the U. S. Marine Corps to serve in World War II, assigned to Miami of Ohio University and Paris Island for boot camp. He later received his B.S. degree from Southern Mississippi University, Hattiesburg, Miss., and his MBA at the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA. Frank served heroically in combat in the Korean conflict, and also in Vietnam, stationed in Da Nang as Commander of the 1st Marine Division. After Vietnam, Frank received orders to the 9th Marine Corps District Headquarters in Overland Park, Kansas as Deputy Director, and eventually as Director. Other notable assignments during his career included three years in London, England where he was assigned to naval intelligence, and a tour in Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas at the Command & General Staff College. He is the recipient of the Navy Commendation medal with combat V, and the Legion of Merit with combat V, to name a few of his honors. In 1973, Frank retired from the Corps as a Colonel following a 30+ year career. Frank then continued his public service, this time in Johnson County government. Originally hired to the new position of Finance Director for Johnson county, Frank worked in many capacities, eventually serving as County Administrator. During his 11 years of service to the County, Frank also oversaw the municipal airport in Olathe. In Frank?s final years, he enjoyed volunteering his time at the Deanna Rose Children?s Farmstead. His other associations are with the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), the VFW, The American Legion, and Brookridge Country Club.
During Frank?s life, his loving and beloved wife of 62 years, Edie, has always been at his side. Their love and respect for each other was a wonderful example for all of their loved-ones to admire. Growing up as children in neighboring rural towns, Frank and Edie were teenage sweethearts. Once married, and through all of the moving and expectations of military families, Frank and Edie navigated a wonderful life together. They shared may travels to foreign countries, enjoyed many cruises, and untold rounds of golf together, often with their close friends. And over the years, they always valued time with their family. Frank and Edie raised two admiring sons, Steven Lee (Elizabeth) of Charleston, S.C. and Scott (Jaci) of Bloomington, IL. Frank was the most wonderful grandpa possible to Hillary, Kristen, Savannah, Beaumont, Adelaide, and Augusta; Grandpa would always make them laugh! Frank was also an avid gardner, and woodworker. He was a loyal friend to many and there was no one with whom Frank would not strike-up a conversation.
Frank is preceded in death by his parents; half-brothers Dick, Dean, and Don Sperry; half-sister Kathleen Swearingen; sister Harriet Yeast; and son Steven. He is survived by his wife, Edie; son Scott (Jaci); daughter-in-law Elizabeth; his grandchildren; and half-sister Helen Stewart.
A gathering of family and friends will be held 6:00 ? 8:00 p.m. Monday, February 18th at D. W. Newcomer?s Sons Johnson County Chapel, 11200 Metcalf Avenue, Overland Park, Kansas. Frank will be laid to rest in the National Cemetery at Leavenworth, Kansas with full military honors 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 19th followed by a memorial service at 11:00 a.m. at D. W. Newcomer?s Sons Johnson County Chapel.
The family suggests contributions in Frank?s name be made to the Deanne Rose Children?s Farmstead, 13800 Switzer, Overland Park, Kansas 66221; Odyssey Hospice, 800 East 101st Terrace, Suite 150, Kansas City, Missouri 64131; or to American Cancer Society, 6700 Antioch, Merriam, Kansas 66204.
He was born March 13th, 1925 in Bushnell, Illinois, the son of Frank L. Dixon and Lucy Faye (Harrah) Dixon. Frank was the sixth of seven children. As a boy, Frank demonstrated the work ethic that he continued through life, working for his father at the Bushnell Waterworks, training horses, and delivering telegrams. At 18 years of age, Frank enlisted in the U. S. Marine Corps to serve in World War II, assigned to Miami of Ohio University and Paris Island for boot camp. He later received his B.S. degree from Southern Mississippi University, Hattiesburg, Miss., and his MBA at the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA. Frank served heroically in combat in the Korean conflict, and also in Vietnam, stationed in Da Nang as Commander of the 1st Marine Division. After Vietnam, Frank received orders to the 9th Marine Corps District Headquarters in Overland Park, Kansas as Deputy Director, and eventually as Director. Other notable assignments during his career included three years in London, England where he was assigned to naval intelligence, and a tour in Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas at the Command & General Staff College. He is the recipient of the Navy Commendation medal with combat V, and the Legion of Merit with combat V, to name a few of his honors. In 1973, Frank retired from the Corps as a Colonel following a 30+ year career. Frank then continued his public service, this time in Johnson County government. Originally hired to the new position of Finance Director for Johnson county, Frank worked in many capacities, eventually serving as County Administrator. During his 11 years of service to the County, Frank also oversaw the municipal airport in Olathe. In Frank?s final years, he enjoyed volunteering his time at the Deanna Rose Children?s Farmstead. His other associations are with the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), the VFW, The American Legion, and Brookridge Country Club.
During Frank?s life, his loving and beloved wife of 62 years, Edie, has always been at his side. Their love and respect for each other was a wonderful example for all of their loved-ones to admire. Growing up as children in neighboring rural towns, Frank and Edie were teenage sweethearts. Once married, and through all of the moving and expectations of military families, Frank and Edie navigated a wonderful life together. They shared may travels to foreign countries, enjoyed many cruises, and untold rounds of golf together, often with their close friends. And over the years, they always valued time with their family. Frank and Edie raised two admiring sons, Steven Lee (Elizabeth) of Charleston, S.C. and Scott (Jaci) of Bloomington, IL. Frank was the most wonderful grandpa possible to Hillary, Kristen, Savannah, Beaumont, Adelaide, and Augusta; Grandpa would always make them laugh! Frank was also an avid gardner, and woodworker. He was a loyal friend to many and there was no one with whom Frank would not strike-up a conversation.
Frank is preceded in death by his parents; half-brothers Dick, Dean, and Don Sperry; half-sister Kathleen Swearingen; sister Harriet Yeast; and son Steven. He is survived by his wife, Edie; son Scott (Jaci); daughter-in-law Elizabeth; his grandchildren; and half-sister Helen Stewart.
A gathering of family and friends will be held 6:00 ? 8:00 p.m. Monday, February 18th at D. W. Newcomer?s Sons Johnson County Chapel, 11200 Metcalf Avenue, Overland Park, Kansas. Frank will be laid to rest in the National Cemetery at Leavenworth, Kansas with full military honors 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 19th followed by a memorial service at 11:00 a.m. at D. W. Newcomer?s Sons Johnson County Chapel.
The family suggests contributions in Frank?s name be made to the Deanne Rose Children?s Farmstead, 13800 Switzer, Overland Park, Kansas 66221; Odyssey Hospice, 800 East 101st Terrace, Suite 150, Kansas City, Missouri 64131; or to American Cancer Society, 6700 Antioch, Merriam, Kansas 66204.
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