Name: Visitation for Dr. Thomas Dixon
Start: 2016-07-11T21:00:00.000Z
End: 2016-07-12T00:00:00.000Z
Location: McReynolds Nave & Larson Funeral Home

Dr. Thomas Dixon

Clarksville, TN

Dr. Thomas P. Dixon, age 81, of Clarksville, passed into eternity on Thursday, July 7, 2016 at Vanderbilt Medical Center. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 12, 2016 at First Baptist Church, Clarksville, with Drs. Larry Riley and John David Laida officiating. Burial will follow at Sango Cemetery.

The Dixon family will receive friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at McReynolds-Nave & Larson Funeral Home and from 10 a.m. until the hour of service Tuesday at First Baptist Church.

Dr. Dixon entered into this life on February 17, 1935 in Rosston, Arkansas, son to the late George Washington Dixon and Annie Merritt Dixon. He was the youngest of nine, having seven sisters and two brothers. At the age of 19 he accepted Jesus Christ into his heart, and thus began the life of a servant of God.

With the encouragement of his best friend Norton Pope, Tom left his job at the International Paper mill in Camden, Arkansas and attended Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree. While at Ouachita he met his future wife, Betty Jo Pendergrast Dixon, whose support and guidance he always said made it possible for him to earn both his Masters and Ph.D. in British History.

After receiving his Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University Professor Dixon embarked on a 45 year career dedicated to helping his students. His proudest moment was in the Fall Semester of 1989 when he led a group of Austin Peay History students to study in Oxford, UK. His students number in the thousands and his legacy is written indelibly upon their hearts and minds.

He was a 50 year member of the church family at First Baptist Church of Clarksville. Dr. Dixon is survived by his wife of 58 years, Betty Jo Pendergrast Dixon; daughter Deidre Amstutz, daughter Alison Lankford, and son, Thomas Blaine Dixon; and brother, James Eason Dixon.

Serving as pallbearers are Roger Maness, David Hall, Jim Parker, Wally Vinson, Eddie Hill, and William Parker. Honorary pallbearers will be Ed Hawkins and members of the Couples One Sunday School Class, First Baptist Church.

Arrangements are in the care of McReynolds-Nave & Larson Funeral Home, (931) 647-3371. NaveFuneralHomes.com

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

Published by The Leaf Chronicle on Jul. 10, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Dixon

Sponsored by McReynolds Nave & Larson Funeral Home.

9 Entries

Vicki Gates Bryant

April 28, 2024

Dr. Dixon was my favorite history professor who made English history fascinating. I minored in history because of him.

Sam Hill

July 3, 2019

Dr. D was a man after Gods heart. Never did he not greet me and not exhort me in the Lord.

Matthew, Beth, Jed, James, and Raye Beth

July 12, 2016

He left a wonderful legacy for so many and with us in his children. We wish you all peace.
Love,

July 12, 2016

My heart goes out to Dr. Tom's family, especially his wife Jo, the love of his life. RIP. We will miss you at Pleasant Thyme Cafe!

Karen Stine

July 11, 2016

Dr. Dixon was a wonderful teacher. He made British history so interesting. He taught by telling the history, not just reading out of a book or off notes.

Christos Frentzos

July 11, 2016

Our sincere sympathy and prayers go out to the Dixon family. Dr. Dixon was a very kind man and always went out of his way to say hello and ask how everyone was doing. We will miss his smiling face and sweet demeanor. With love from the Frentzos family.

Samuel Hill

July 10, 2016

Dr. Dixon was always willing to share the love of Christ. To him, Christ was reflected in every aspect of his life. I am so blessed to be able to call Dr. Dixon a brother in Christ and true friend to the end. We had lots of prayers together and I look forward to seeing him in glory. He always asked about my wife and would share about his wonderful wife and son . He truly loved his Lord, family, church, and the opportunity to share with all his students.

Philip Grey

July 10, 2016

He inspired me to give my best as a student, to match what he gave as a teacher. Rest in Peace, sir. Your legacy lives on in all you touched.

Don Trotter

July 10, 2016

Mrs. Dixon and family,
I was so shocked and saddened to see that you have lost your husband and father. Dr. Dixon was a respected and true friend. I first met him in 1966 when he was assigned as my scholastic advisor at APSU. He gave me guidance over the entire four years as I pursued my B.S. degree. I was also privileged to have had him as a professor. Dr. Dixon was also on my Thesis Committee as I pursued my M.A. degree. During that time, he became a very dear friend. He had a great influence in my personal life. He was dedicated to his Lord and never shied from that fact. For that, I respected him even more. He also allowed me the privilege of getting to know all of you and I appreciated that. I can tell you he always wanted to talk about all of you and how proud he was of you. I will miss his kindness, support and guidance. I am currently out of state and cannot get back before the service, but please know my heart is with you. Take comfort in the fact that we know he is with his Lord and may God give you strength in this time of tremendous loss.

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