James Franklin Dix

March 17, 1949 - April 24, 2025

Raleigh, North Carolina - James Franklin Dix passed away unexpectedly on 24 April 2025 while hiking in Honolulu, HA. Jim was born on 17 March 1949 in Mount Airy, NC to parents William Joseph and Lottie Key Dix.

Jim grew up in Winston-Salem, NC and graduated high school at West Forsyth HS. He studied at NC State University earning a BS in Electrical Engineering (EE) in 1971 and an MS EE in 1976. While at NC State he was introduced to his future wife Lynn Palmer, a student at neighboring UNC.

Jim worked three years at then Corning Glass Works followed by over 32 years as Computer Engineer at NIEHS (National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences) until retirement.

Jim volunteered to coach his daughters' basketball and soccer teams, proudly answering to "Coach Dix". He was a dedicated fan of both NC State men's and women's basketball teams. In retirement Jim enjoyed travel and classes at NC State Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.

Jim is survived by wife Lynn, daughters Megan of Atlanta, GA and Bridget of Carrboro, NC and sister Cathy Dix of Raleigh, NC.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The News & Observer from May 6 to May 11, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for James Dix

Sponsored by Nuuanu Memorial Park & Mortuary.

8 Entries

Michael Kaplan

Planted Trees

James and Gwen Palmer

May 18, 2025

Jim was a great brother-in- law to have-always considerate/thoughtful. He somehow read a local paper listing me as as one of our high school team's players who did well for his size. Jim reminded me of this glowingly and semi-regularly for over 50 years when we would get together.
He was a roll model to me of the type of Southern man I would be proud to be. I appreciated the respect he had when talking about my dad-"Mr. Palmer" -and followed his example to make sure Gwen's dad was the second person I checked with for an OK on our marriage. He raised the bar high as a husband in how I saw him and my sister Lynn together.
Jim had such a broad depth of knowledge and willingness to share that for Gwen and I there was never a dull moment with him. We will miss and remember him as a great man and a friend.
My condolences and aloha to Lynn, Megan, Bridget, and Cathy on their loss.

Sue Allen

May 15, 2025

Rod and I were shocked and saddened to hear of Jim´s death. We first became friends when Lynn joined me in the Statistics program at NCSU and later at Burroughs Wellcome. One of the first memories Rod and I have of Lynn and Jim is leaving a State vs Carolina game. They were walking to their car which was miles away near Crabtree Valley. They jumped into the back of our truck for a ride to their car. Jim was an avid State fan and having to park miles away wasn´t going to keep him from that game.
Rod and Jim played in a YMCA basketball league and coached youth basketball together. Jim had a passion for coaching kids, especially his girls.
Rod built Lynn and Jim´s house. He tells a story about having to ask Jim to stop coming by the site so often because he was causing delays in construction. You see, Jim never met a stranger and he loved engaging with the workers, especially the carpenter who was also an engineer.
Losing Jim has left a hole in our hearts. I´m so glad we have these memories to help us cope.
Love you, Lynn.

Mary Palmer

May 14, 2025

Jim entered our lives with his courtship and marriage to the first (never oldest) sibling Lynn. So many stories over the years from Jim have shaped our family lore and knowledge. He delighted in relating how our mother told him never to count on seconds when dining with a family of ten. He cheerfully accepted the criticism of the same matriarch who complained that there were so few photos of her granddaughters in the slide shows of family vacations. When I began a family of my own and we would all reunion at the beach, a favorite part for me was the first night spent at the Dix home half-way. The peaceful welcome I always felt was a balm. I recall twice when Jim shared advice on deeply personal situations but after-the-fact because he didn't want to impose his will or opinion-- yet each time gave me support and wisdom in going forward. Jim had a way of chuckling throughout a story--he enjoyed the story and the telling, the ending and the beginning again. He LOVED sports, the playing, the watching (especially his daughters' teams), and the anticipation of the next one. He loved the family he grew up in and the one he made with Lynn, and all of ours. He was always willing to help and to be present. I wish so much that he was still here. I wish that we had been with him to the very end. I can also see him looking at me with those kind eyes that could be so piercing when he was angry or upset. And I will try to seek the wisdom in going forward, to show Jim's kindness and diligence and humility and love.

Tom Clemmer

May 12, 2025

In the mid 1970s at NIEHS I was asked to begin putting together a small in-house computer facility. Jim was the first computer engineer I hired, and he took ownership of the project immediately. Jim´s technical knowledge and his forward-looking ideas and solid work ethic were critical to computerizing science at NIEHS.

Jim was also very much a family man. After being told he was selected for the position he asked if he could delay reporting so he and Lynn could take a multi-week road trip before settling in. I don´t know how many miles they drove in their Ford Pinto but it was a bunch. He never lost sight of life´s real priorities. He returned ready to work and then never slowed down. I remember sharing his joy as children came along.

One of Jim´s passions was sharing his knowledge with engineering students through NIEHS´s "Stay In School" program that offered part-time and summer jobs to upcoming students. He always had several working on projects with him, benefiting them and NIEHS.

Jim and I lost touch after I left NIEHS, but my respect and admiration for him never diminished. I am shocked and saddened that such a wonderful life came to such a tragic and premature end. But the work he did all those years ago I´m sure is still paying dividends to those carrying it on today.

I send my deepest condolences to Jim and all his family. We lost a very good man!

Tom Clemmer

Teena Cochran

May 12, 2025

No matter how many years a couple has together, no matter how many adventures we share, they are never enough. Lynn and family, it is so sad to hear of Jim's passing way too young. My thoughts and prayers for comfort during this difficult time.

Janna Scott

May 12, 2025

My heart is broken. Sending special hugs from afar.
Lynn belonged to a work-related women's group that would frequent lunch and even weekends at the beach. On occasion, Jim would tag along for lunch. His positive and informative contributions for solving the world's challenges were always welcomed and celebrated. He helped us think beyond the obvious. He also had a cheerful disposition that could bring sunshine on the cloudiest of days.

Kay Obenshain

May 10, 2025

I am very sorry for your loss.

Lynn has been a good friend since we both worked at Burroughs Wellcome. She always spoke very highly of Jim.

I had the pleasure of meeting Jim once at the North Carolina Museum of Art and he seemed very kind and I could understand why Lynn spoke so highly of him.

My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Showing 1 - 8 of 8 results