Obituary of SMSgt. Lee Dixon (USAF Ret.)

SMSgt. Lee Dixon (USAF Ret.) died January 18, 2024, at his home in Macon, Georgia, surrounded by his family. He was 92. He was a previous long-time resident of Warner Robins, Georgia.  Visitation will be Monday, 29 January 2024 from 1 PM to 2 PM at Heritage Memorial Funeral Home 701 Carl Vinson Parkway in Warner Robins, Georgia. A private graveside service with military honors will immediately follow the visitation at 2 PM at Parkway Memorial Gardens.

Lee was born July 30, 1931, in Christopher, Perry County, Kentucky to the late I.D. Dixon and Effie Combs Dixon. He attended school in Perry County, Kentucky, including graduating from Viper High School where he met his soon-to-be-wife Bobbie. Lee lettered three years playing basketball from 1947 to 1950. He was a starting guard and forward and scored 167 points in his senior year for the “Hornets”.

He married Bobbie Jean Engle, daughter of Pearl and Gertrude Engle, on June 15, 1951, in the living room of Bobbie Jean’s home in Slabtown Hollow in Viper, Perry County, Kentucky. Shortly after getting married, Lee enlisted in the United States Air Force. He had a long and distinctive service as a meteorologist in the Air Force and Civil Service Department of Defense. He served in the Korean War in 1952 on a temporary duty assignment while stationed in Japan. He also, served in peace time-Korea, and in the Vietnam War (1970 – 1971), earning a Bronze Star Medal for his duty at Phan Rang Air Force Base, South Vietnam. Additionally, he received the U. S. Air Force Commendation Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal with four clusters, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Leaf and the Vietnam and Korean War Service Medals. In 1979, he received the Pierce Award as the best weather forecaster worldwide for the Army and Air Force, becoming only the second civilian to ever receive this honor. He received the Certificate of Appreciation for outstanding support of the Ferry Flight Mission of Space Shuttle Columbia at Robins Air Force Base in 1989.

Lee loved golfing, deer hunting, and square dancing. He was a “caller” spanning over a half century for many square dance clubs throughout the U. S. and overseas, including the Irish Reelers of Dublin, GA and the Rice Paddy Promenaders of Kadena AFB, Okinawa. For over sixty years, Lee and Bobbie traveled across the country visiting square dance friends. The only year Lee did not square dance was the year he was in Vietnam. After retirement from civil service, Lee’s “calling” became more of a full time than part-time job.

He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Bobbie J. Dixon; three sons: Michael D. (Dr. Roberta Hollis) Dixon, David L. (Jacqueline K. Reitzell) Dixon, and Roger G. Dixon; grandchildren: Allee (Joseph) Avery, Christopher M. (Laura) Dixon, Allison L. Dixon, Kelly A. (MSGT/USAF Ronald) Simons Jr., Alexandra C. (Alexander Barnhart) Dixon, and Jeremy S. Dixon;  great-grandchildren: Madilyn Avery, Ronald Simons III, Cooper Avery, McKinley Simons, William Avery, Arden Dixon, and Eleanor Barnhart; brother, Carlen “Pete” (Glenna) Dixon of Hazard, Kentucky; sister, Nancy Dixon Harvey of Hamilton, Ohio; and a host of extended family and friends.  

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donations be made to Pine Pointe Hospice, 6261 Peake Road, Macon, GA 31210 or a charity of your choice.

Please sign the online guest registry at www.heritagemfh.com and leave a personal condolence for the family.

Heritage Memorial Funeral Home & Crematory has the honor of being entrusted with the arrangements for SMSgt. Lee Dixon (USAF Ret.).