James Dixon

James Dixon, aged 81, passed away on Wednesday, October 29, 2025.
He was born in 1944 in Little Washington, North Carolina-the first town in the country named for George Washington and one of the earliest to be incorporated in the state.
He was the son of David Dixon and Mildred (Sutton) Dixon, and the grandson of James and Louisa (Harrell) Dixon, and Frederick and Rochelle (Barrington) Sutton.
James was raised on a hog farm carved out of North Carolina swampland near the Tar River-land the U.S. Marines would later utilize for swamp survival training. He was an avid outdoorsman and hunter, raised with respect for the land and its history. He grew up listening to stories about his ancestors and their connections to the Lost Colonies, Blackbeard, King Blount, and many others. Through diligent research, the origins of most of these stories were discovered and verified.
James was a descendant of ancient farmers, craftsmen, frontiersmen, many ship captains, colonial governors, nobles, and kings. His family's American roots reached back to the earliest settlements, including Jamestown and Plymouth. His kin people settled the East Coast, stood among the Regulators, and shaped the ideals that gave rise to American independence. Most-perhaps all-of his Revolution Era grandfathers and granduncles of age fought in the war. He had grandparents who fought in the War of 1812 and family who died on both sides at Gettysburg. He had uncles and cousins who fought in WWI and WWII. He was cousin to Benjamin Franklin (Chase–Folger–Franklin), Thomas Edison, and others.
James was named for his Uncle Snodie Hardee and Aunt Laura (Dixon) Hardee's son, James Hardee of North Carolina, who was listed as missing in action in 1944. Believing him lost, both families agreed that he, the new baby, should be named in his honor. Months later, the family received word that he had survived as a prisoner of war, having escaped several Nazi camps, including Stalag 7-A in Moosburg and Work Camps 3324-46 and 3368. After his last escape, he was able to remain hidden until rescued by American soldiers.
It was one of James's greatest honors to have been named after a hero like his cousin, and he was often inspired by his courage in the face of adversity.
As a young man, James helped paint the towers of the Voice of America station located in the Great Opening near Washington, North Carolina. He remembered standing with his father among trees that were so massive they could not touch the tips of each other's fingers around their trunks.
He served his country honorably as a Boatswain's Mate and was a plank owner of the USS Richard E. Byrd (DDG-23), a destroyer named for his distant cousin. James was proud to know that both he and Admiral Byrd were, among other shared ancestors, descendants of Admiral Sir Richard Haddock-carrying on the family's long naval legacy. Following his Navy service, he became a union ironworker, working out of Local 112, helping to build bridges and skyscrapers across central Illinois. While working at a major manufacturer in the area, and fabricating a gate for a German-built machine, he independently developed a gravity-operated hinge concept-later believed to have been commercialized around 1970 and ultimately referenced by more than thirty derivative patents worldwide. Later, he owned and operated several successful businesses before retiring due to ill health. He said that, aside from raising three good children, he was proudest of having lived with fairness and that neither he nor his father ever took advantage of other people.
He is survived by his sister, Diane; his three children; five granddaughters and four grandsons; one great-grandson; one niece; one grandniece and four grandnephews; and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; his older brother, David, and two other siblings, all of whom died young; his older sister, Mavis; a niece; a grandniece; and many friends. His sister Mavis lived a full and spirited 88 years. She swore that her perfect health was due to drinking a bit of vinegar every day and eating a tablespoon of mustard on occasion.
James was an incredible father and a true human being, loved by all who knew him. He often said that his greatest joy came from seeing one person be kind to another. His humor, grit, and generous heart now live on through those he touched. His life, well lived, was another link in an unbroken chain that is his family's legacy.
He was proud to be from North Carolina. His hope would be that his small story honors the families of Pitt and surrounding counties-people that live their lives with a quiet sort of dignity and who remember the sacrifices their families made to help forge this great nation.
He is deeply missed, and he hoped we'd find a way to all be united.
"To be good, and to do good, is all we have to do." - John Adams
Memorial contributions may be made to Memorials Processing, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, TN, 38105-9959 or to Make-A-Wish America, 1702 E. Highland Avenue, Suite 400, Phoenix, AZ 85016.