Donald Lavern Dixon

Donald Lavern Dixon of Anacortes, WA died at Island Hospital on November 2, 2025 with his family by his side. He was born September 9, 1933 to Warren E. Dixon and Noma L. Dixon of Three Forks, Montana. Except for one interruption, he attended the Three Fork's schools and graduated high school in 1951. Don was a Boy Scout and attended the National Jamboree in 1950 at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania with 144,000 others. After high school he attended Whitworth College (now university) graduating in 1955 with a degree in business administration. He was employed by the J.C. Penney Co. and drafted into the Army in 1956. Don married June Koth on March 21, 1956, just before his deployment to a military police unit in Giessen Germany. June joined him and her parents, also military, were stationed nearby at Bad Hersfeld; hence good trips, outings and family get togethers were enjoyed. Upon return from military service he chose to re-enter Whitworth to earn a Bachelor's degree in education attending night school. Upon graduation, he accepted a 6th grade teaching position and moved the family to Anacortes. For several summers he attended summer school at Whitworth to earn his Master's Degree. He loved teaching and spent 11 years at the Middle School and another 17 years at the High School before retiring. In 1975 he began teaching at Anacortes High School where he became their first interscholastic girls volleyball team coach.

Soon after arrival in Anacortes, they and their 2 sons attended and joined the First Baptist Church located at 19th and Commercial Ave and later at 2717 J Ave. The family became very active there. Don served the church as a deacon, adult Sunday school teacher and various church boards for 60 years, even teaching 2 & 3 year olds with June for a few years.

High School teaching had been a long sought goal of his. He openly expressed that he worked with "tremendous" staff and "great" students long into his retirement. One of life's greatest pleasures was always those moments of touching base with former students and sharing a few memories. Finally, June realized that his trips to the grocery store were so long because of his propensity to socialize while shopping.

His most difficult and always remembered time, was when younger son Randy was fatally injured in an automobile accident on a ride between Sunday School and Church on the 1975 Labor Day Weekend. The community shared in the loss as evidenced by the overflowing funeral service, hundreds of cards and support then and throughout the years, plus the church building a room for the youth program.

Valuable remembrances were those times with son Dana and grandsons Dylan and Duane on several fishing trips to Tahsis and Nootka Sound Canada. The salmon fishing was great along with the camping and especially the camaraderie. His trips back to Montana also brought joy.

No greater joy did he have than walking through life with wife June of 69 years, eventually their sons, grandsons and growing families. Most important to his joy was his personal relationship with Jesus Christ, whom anchored his life and he's with today.

Don is survived by wife June, son Dana (Elaine) Dixon, Grandsons Dylan (Hannah) Dixon, Duane (Megan) Dixon, Cory Dixon; great-grandsons Owen, Tyler, Dean and great-granddaughter Halle; Neice Ellen (Derek) Evans and children Ethan, Elicia, Riley and Emily; Sister Beverly (Ron) Iverson of Mill Creek, WA.

Funeral Services for Don will be held on November 14th, 2025 at First Baptist Church of Anacortes beginning at 2:00pm, followed by a reception and visitation. A Graveside Service will be held for Don on November 15th at 1:00pm at Mount Vernon Cemetery.

To share memories of Don, please visit www.evanschapel.com