James Dixon Hearne

James Dixon Hearne, Ph.D. passed away unexpectedly May 25, 2025 at his residence in Sterlington, LA. Dixon was born March 17, 1948.

He attended West Monroe High School, University of Louisiana at Monroe, University of St. Thomas (BA), Pepperdine University (MA) and Claremont Graduate University (PhD).

 In one interview, he was asked “As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?” His response was “I had a wonderful elementary school experience, which left me with a desire to become a teacher. I did just that — teaching K-12 and later as an academic at California universities. I learned much more than I taught.”

After several years dedicated to teaching and contributing to research journals in Texas, Mississippi, and California, he returned to his native Louisiana, which served as the inspiration for his extensive body of work. His short fiction, poetry, and nonfiction have received numerous awards and appear widely in magazines, journals, and anthologies. 

Much of his work focused on his life growing up in the South. His stories will continue to inspire and entertain for generations.

 Dixon is preceded in death by his mother, Wilda Spillers Hearne and his father, Drew Hearne.

 He is survived by his brother, Ronald Hearne and wife Janice of Sterlington, La., brother, Greg Hearne and his wife Vicki, of Mansfield, Tx., his niece Dee Rabb and her husband John, nephews Elliott and Blake, great nieces Scarlett and Kingsleigh and great nephew John Maverick. He also leaves behind his fur baby, June.