Harry Dixon

Harry D. Dixon Sr. - WAYCROSS - Former Georgia State Representative Harry D. Dixon Sr. passed from this life on March 12th, 2012 at Satilla Regional Medical Center in Waycross, Georgia after an extended illness. He was born March 24th, 1925 the oldest of ten children to Rev. Huey Dixon and Mattie Woodard Dixon. Harry was educated in the public schools of Brantley and Ware Counties graduating from Wacona High School. He volunteered and served as a seaman in the United States Merchant Marines during World War II. In addition to traveling throughout the world during that time, he proudly served as part of the support flotilla during the Normandy Invasion on June 6th, 1944. Upon leaving the Merchant Marines at the conclusion of World War II, he returned home and became a fireman and ultimately an engineer with the then Atlantic Coast Railroad, working there until his retirement in 1985. He married Ruth Starling of Millwood in 1946. They were married forty-nine years until her death in 1995. They had one son, Harry D. Dixon Jr. (Donnie). In 1962 he ran for an open seat in the Georgia General Assembly and was honored to be elected by the citizens of Ware County to serve as their Representative. At various times during his legislative career he represented, in addition to Ware County, Clinch County, Charlton County and Camden County. During those terms he was appointed to various committees including the Appropriations Committee, Vice Chairman of the Insurance Committee, and was Chairman of what evolved into the Regulated Beverages Committee. He was an eye witness to and participated in many significant issues that the State of Georgia faced during those times. He served in the General Assembly from 1962 until 2000. In 2000, he was selected by his fellow legislators to serve as Board member of the Georgia Department of Transportation, and did so until 2005. Harry was famous for his exceptional ability to portray colorful and illustrative stories to make his point, drawing on incidents experienced while growing up in South Georgia during the Great Depression as well as experiences and observations in the Merchant Marines and the General Assembly. He especially enjoyed entertaining friends with colorful tales of the rough and tumble of Georgia politics of which he was deeply involved throughout the second half of the 20th Century. Harry will be fondly remembered by his family and friends for his love of and devotion to them and his community. He will long be remembered for his selfless service to this community and to the citizens of the State of Georgia whom he served with distinction. Among his many accomplishments was spearheading the creation of the Lakes Golf Course at Laura S. Walker Park and the expansion of Ware Correctional Institution , He assisted with the promotion of the Okefenokee Heritage Center, Waycross Area Community Theater and Southern Forest World. Harry is preceded in death by his wife, Ruth Starling, his mother and father Huey and Mattie Dixon, his brothers Eugene Dixon, Stanton Dixon, Wendell Dixon and his sister Maudeen Teenie Dixon. Survivors include his son Donnie and his wife Betty Tonning Dixon of Savannah, his granddaughter Kelly Elizabeth Dixon of New Orleans, Louisiana and his grandson Harry D. Dixon III of Athens, Georgia. Also surviving are, Harold Dixon (brother ) and wife Sandra of Waycross , Robert Dixon (brother ) and wife Ione of Blaine, Maine; Lamar Dixon (brother) and wife Hilda of Waycross ; Dr. Jimmy Dixon (brother ) and wife Martha of Saint Simons Island, Georgia; Marilyn Thornhill (sister) and husband Grady of Waycross, Myra Fisher (sister) and husband George of Clarkesville, Tennessee ,and friend Vernelle Hand of St Mary's Georgia He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and countless friends. His family wishes to thank the countless friends who have expressed sympathy during this difficult time. They further especially would like to thank Dr. Reddy and his staff, the staff of Waycross Rehabilitation Center , and the staff and physicians of Satilla Regional Medical Center all who provided excellent care for him during this time. Visitation will be held from 6:00 pm till 8:00 pm on Tuesday at Music Funeral Home located on Tebeau Street in Waycross Georgia. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday at the First Baptist Church of Waycross. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be sent to First Baptist Church of Waycross; Satilla Health Foundation, the Harry D. Dixon WSWG Scholarship Foundation at Waycross College or Okefenokee Heritage Center. Music Funeral Home Savannah Morning News March 14, 2012 Please sign our Obituary Guest Book at savannahnow.com/obituaries.