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Dave Dixon Obituary
Dixon had been ill since January, said his son, Frank Dixon, who confirmed his death.
"He was always coming up with new thoughts and ideas. Until his dying day, he was thinking," Frank Dixon said.
Dixon persuaded New Orleans officials to pursue a football franchise rather than baseball in the 1960s. In his autobiography, "The Saints, The Superdome and the Scandal," Dixon wrote there were strong reasons for the NFL to consider New Orleans, including its mild winter weather, a great football tradition and 80,000-seat Tulane Stadium. Dixon was a Tulane University graduate.
Dixon, whose supporters for a team included Gov. John McKeithen and city restaurant owners, staged an NFL double header at Tulane Stadium, which drew a crowd that nearly filled the place.
New Orleans was awarded the Saints on All-Saints Day 1966. Frank Dixon said his father recently told him how the timing of the announcement came about.
He said NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle called his father about the deal and his dad suggested they wait a week to announce it on that day.
"Both Pete Roselle and my father were great marketers," Frank Dixon said. "I wonder where New Orleans would be today if it didn't have the Saints and the Superdome. I don't think that ever would have happened if my father wouldn't have been here."
Dixon started thinking about the stadium shortly after the city got the team.
"I think as soon as Tulane agreed to let us use their stadium for an NFL team I started planning the Superdome," he told The Associated Press in 2002. "I knew having 80,000 people in those neighborhoods 10 times a year was not going to work for long."
The Superdome opened on Aug. 3, 1975. But it wasn't until last season that the Saints, a perennial loser, brought home a Super Bowl victory to the city that is still recovering from 2005's Hurricane Katrina.
Dixon was elated at the team's 31-28 overtime victory over the Minnesota Vikings that sent the Saints to the Super Bowl. He was forced to watch the game on TV because of his health.
"Oh, man," he told AP the Monday after the win. "I feel like I'm in heaven. Just wonderful. I had a little heart problem. But I feel much better. I'm very exhilarated over the Saints' great victory."
New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson said in a statement that Dixon "was a distinguished civic leader with a unique vision and he was widely admired around our region as a leader who was dedicated to the development of the Louisiana Superdome."
Katrina ripped off part of the Superdome's roof. It also failed miserably as a shelter of last resort when the devastating storm flooded the city. Thousands of people who had nowhere else to go flocked to the stadium. Within days, the building was tattered, filthy inside from mold, debris and raw sewage.
Over the next year, the Superdome was rebuilt, and slowly, New Orleans has tried to get back to what it once was. The Saints success has played a role in helping the city by giving it something to celebrate.
Dixon worked with Kansas City Chiefs owner Lamar Hunt to found World Championship Tennis, Frank Dixon said.
In 1965, Dave Dixon conceived the idea for the United States Football League, which operated from 1982 to 1985 before folding, his son said.
"He believed in the brotherhood of man. He loved people and people loved him back," Frank Dixon said.
A funeral will be held Wednesday at Holy Name of Jesus in New Orleans with visitation beginning at 10 a.m., followed by Mass. Burial will be at Metairie Lake Lawn Cemetery in New Orleans.
Dave Dixon is survived by his wife; his three sons, David Frank Dixon, John Shea Dixon and Martin Stuart Dixon and fo ur grandchildren.
Copyright © 2010 The Associated Press
37 Entries
John runningen
February 3, 2013
My late wife Michele Trivigno was a good friend of all the Dixon boys from their days at Country Day. She's probably watching today's 47th Superbowl with Dave from the from the highest balcony seats up above. We are all down here watching the game today (2-3-13) remembering Dave's great contribution to all of us fans. RIP
Jimmy Nelson
August 29, 2010
Thanks for all you did for the City of New Orleans. Glad you were still here for the Saints to win a SUPERBOWL.
George-Ann Stokes-Townsend
August 17, 2010
Dear Mary and Family,
On behalf of my father, George W. Stokes,Sr. and family, we extend our deepesty sympathy to your family at this time. My father and Dave Dixon were classmates and fraternity brothers while attending Tulane. My father spoke highly of Mr. Dixon and of the fun-filled times at fraternity parties while at Tulane.
I can not imagine the city of New Orleans without the numerous contribution that Mr. Dixon had so freely given to the city. My father often said, that Dave was a visionary and his contributions would be long lasting for the city.
May your fond memories of your father comfort and sustain your family at this time.
I remember when my fathe introduced me to Mr. Dixon, he was a true Southern Gentleman, just as my father was... My cherished memories of my father have provided my family with great comfort and love. We lost my father three years ago this October.
God bless your family,
George-Ann Stokes-Townsend and George Williams Stokes, Sr. and family
Melissa Miley
August 16, 2010
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. We did not know Mr Dixon personally, but he did reach out to us when our son passed away this past May. We could tell from just the phone conversation we had with him what kind of generous, warm-hearted soul he was. We were asked to come to New Orleans and meet with him, but time and our own grief at the time got in the way. I am so sorry now that we never got that chance to meet him in person. He talked about his own children and grandchildren and how much they meant to him. Our son Nathan passed away in May, I hope they have met and they are talking about the Saints, Nathan loved the Saints. May God bless you and your family, and we are truly sorry for your loss.
How you can show support
August 12, 2010
It has been my pleasure to assist DAVE AND MRS. DIXON with their prescription needs for some years . Dave was truly a great guy in every sense. I always enjoyed talking with him when he came into the drug store. I will miss him as a customer as well as a friend.The New Orleans/Metairie area has really lost a wonderful supporter and champion for good causes. may he rest in peace, he has certainly earned it. AL SPITALE-MAJORIA DRUGS
Ann Leibfritz
August 12, 2010
The service today in honor of Dave Dixon was absolutely beautiful, and so fitting for the loss of one of our own, the ultimate true New Orleanian. He did more for our “City With a Soul” than anyone I’ve ever known in my lifetime here. As someone else wrote “he was ever curious and enthusiastic.” I add that “he was a businessman and civic leader but also a gentleman tirelessly thinking and envisioning what else could he do to make his beloved New Orleans better. He had a keen sense of humor and wit that brightened anyone’s day if he came their way.” In the Eulogy it was said that "if he didn’t have something good to say, then he'd say nothing at all. And -- he was never ready to throw in the towel." Thank God for that! He had a kind word or a compliment for anyone he met as he saw the best in everyone and let them know. I am honored and privileged to say I worked with him and typed his autobiography. I make sure my two sons 25 and 30 yrs. old make sure their friends of their generation “know” who Dave Dixon is and what he did. He “is” the reason we have the Saints and the Superdome. I feel I know all his family whom he loved and talked about so fondly so often. And while working on his book he became part of our family at Secretarial Services for the last 6 years. Mrs. Dixon, Frank, Shea and Stuart: -- My thoughts and prayers are with you and all your family at this sorrowful time. But being raised and educated in the Catholic faith - I know he is now envisioning how he will prepare heaven for all of us New Orleanians to “Come Marching In” to join him when we are called to our Heavenly Home. God Bless you Mr. Dixon . . . Your eternal rest is well earned.
H. Gordon Howze
August 11, 2010
Mr. Dixon's matchless energy and creative vision of what New Orleans could and can be were a generous gift and legacy to all. I enjoyed knowing him, and his sons at Beauregard Jr. High, too. May his soul rest in peace, and his family be comforted by his unique accomplishments.
Harold Patin
August 11, 2010
What a great New Orleanian, a true credit to our state. We love you Dave and pray you take your skills to Heaven and prepare a place for us. May God Bless and comfort your family and grant you eternal peace. God Bless, Harold
Martin & Gayle Macdiarmid,Jr.
August 11, 2010
The City Of New Orleans has lost a great ambassador.Our prayers are with the family.
Karlin Tessier
August 11, 2010
I just know the Angels and Saints are welcoming your Dad with open arms in God's glorious home. Mr. Dixon was always so kind to me and everyone at Dixon and Dixon of Royal. I appreciated the time I spent there with all of you. God Bless!
Anthony Melancon
August 11, 2010
May the God of Israel send his holy spirit to comfort you all. Our prayers are with you.
Anne Marie Vandenweghe
August 11, 2010
Shea: My deepest condolences to you and your family on the passing of your father.
Fr. Victor Brown, O.P.
August 11, 2010
Dave Dixon's death is the end of a truly exemplary life. We are
fortunate to have been contemporaries of his and profitted from
his gifts.
God grant him eternal rest.
Fr. Victor Brown, O.P.
Houston, Texas
Kathleen Lander
August 10, 2010
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of you. May God be with you all during this difficult time. Dave did so much for the city of New Orleans, a place very special to the Dixon family. Mother sends her love.
Kathleen Lander daughter of Patricia Dixon Lander
Pierre & Lisa Hirsch
August 10, 2010
May Dave Dixon's memory be a blessing for all whose lives this very special gentleman touched. The Who Dat Nation has yet another ally with all the rest of dem Saints.
Jim Fruthaler
August 10, 2010
Personally, I shall always believe that the success of the Saints last year was ordained by a higher power -- just so Dave could experience it! Once he told me, proudly, that he had LED the US Open!
John Scott
August 10, 2010
Dave was one of the finest men I have had the privlege of knowing. His faith, and humanity are well known and his sense of humor was infectious. My condolences to Mary Shea, Frank, Stuart, and Shea and Rachel.
August 10, 2010
To the Dixon family, I'm heavy as I write this note. It was comforting seeing and speaking with him, Mrs Dixon and Stewart at my Father's funeral. The entire Gales family grieve your loss. Don Gales Sr. 3451 Pines RD. Shreveport,LA 71119-5233 [email protected]
Jim McCann
August 10, 2010
Can you imagine what New Orleans, and Louisiana, would look like and be like today, were it not for Dave Dixon's drive and vision? Thank you, Sir. In pacem requiescat.
ron atchley
August 10, 2010
shea, frank and stuart, sorry to learn about your dads passing. he was a great new orleanian. i remember country day assembly when he was the featured speaker way back in 74 or 75. shea hope u make our reunion next yr. all of u are in my prayers. ron atchley
Celeste Saltalamachia
August 10, 2010
As an employee of the Superdome, I am forever grateful for Mr. Dixon. Mr. Dixon gave this City an amazing building and has touched the lives of so many of it's residents. Our employee's work so hard at maintaining this beautiful building to keep it an iconic symbol for the City of New Orleans. The build's impact on the City's skyline is incredibly impressive. I have the greatest job on earth because of Mr. Dixon, and for that, I am eternally grateful. May God's love be comforting to the family at their time of loss and I hope each family member knows how much of a positive impact he had on each one of us at the Superdome!
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Celeste Saltalamachia
Human Resources Manager
Superdome
August 10, 2010
Mary, I am sincerely sorry to read of Dave's passing. May God Bless you and your family. I always remember that Dave always had something positive to say .On my infrequent visits to New Orleans I went by the store to see Dave and introduce my friends to him. It was an honor to be a friend of his.I'm sure The LORD has a spec ial place for him on his right side. Dick Oster Summerfield, Fl
Barbara Lotz
August 10, 2010
The city of New Orleans has lost a great man. Thank you for all you gave to us.
Dr and Mrs Robert T Cook
August 10, 2010
Our deepest sympathy
Dr. Greg Domecq
August 10, 2010
Dave Dixon is simply a legend. Few people may cla to have reshaped history the way that Dave has in Louisiana. I know my life would have been totally different without him. From the Sunday afternoons in Tulane Stadium, coaching at the HS and college level at the dome, to a wonderful Sunday night my 10 year old son and I spent in Miami this past February. Thank you Mr. Dixon for allowing me to build a multitude of cherished memories. May God provide you a wonderful place in His heavenly Superdome with all of His Saints. Dr. Greg Domecq
Debbie Breaux-LeBlanc
August 9, 2010
To the Dixon family. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Thanks so much for the Saints & the Superdome.
A Saints fan since the barge in the river.
Mike Ellis
August 9, 2010
All of us who knew him were the better for the experience. What an awesome gentleman, who will be sadly missed by so many. I grieve for your loss. Tippi and I shall keep you all in our prayers.
August 9, 2010
Mary and family,
We were saddened to hear of the passing of our cousin and great statesman of Louisiana. He will be truly missed by all who knew him.The memory of his good deeds for the city of New Orleans will be lasting;and the fruits of his labor will be enjoyed forever.You will remain in our prayers during this time of sorrow.
Frank Dixon And Marion Vaughn & Family
George Lane
August 9, 2010
Frank, Shea, Stuart, and Ms. Dixon-
My prayers are with you on the loss of a legend, Mr. Dixon.
Susie Stone-Obrien
August 9, 2010
Aunt Mary and family....All my love and sympathy at the passing of Uncle Dave. I know that he and my father, Lawrence Stone, II are at last eternally linked together in Heaven, as they were throughout their lives. So many wonderful memories....much love to you all.
Shelley Hobson
August 9, 2010
Shea, Frank and your family--
I am sad to hear of your father's passing. I remember him as a curious, enthusiastic, gracious and most creative man. I know you are all so proud of how he lived his life. You are in my thoughts.
Nancy & Bill Beck
August 9, 2010
Mary,
We were so saddened to learn about Dave this morning. He was such a vital part of New Orleans in every way and he will be greatly missed by everyone. We are grieving with you and all of your family and holding you close in our thoughts and prayers.
Stanley Kottemann, Jr.
August 9, 2010
Mr. Dave Dixon was truly a great man and was always kind to my family and especially towards my father, Stan Kottemann, Sr. Thank you Mr. Dave Dixon.
sincerely,
Stan Kottemann, Jr.
August 9, 2010
We were so saddened to read about Dave in this mornings paper. He was such a vital part of New Orleans in every respect and he will be greatly missed by us all. Please know that we are holding you and all of your family close in our thoughts and prayers.
Jim & Ann Hebert
August 9, 2010
Our deepest sympathies on your loss. Your family will be in our thoughts and prayers.
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