Donald Dixon

Donald Romney Dixon, age 88, passed away peacefully on 22 June 2024, surrounded by family, in Lehi, Utah. Don was born in Provo, Utah on 18 November 1935 to Donald Maiben ‘Sanky’ Dixon and Lettie Vilate Romney. Don was wonderfully optimistic and courageous in battling Alzheimer’s for two decades prior to his death.

The second of three children, Don loved and greatly admired his older sister Diane Dixon Tempest. He also cared for and was so good to his younger brother Alan Dixon, who was born with special needs. Don was very proud of his family heritage and was close to his family and extended family. He lived in homes on 5th West in Provo, State Street in Orem, and in Salt Lake City during his growing-up years.

Don first attended Granite High School, where he was elected Junior Class President. His Senior year he attended Olympus High School, where he was part of the first graduating class of 1954 and was a star athlete in basketball, football, and tennis; his coach in the latter two sports was his father, Sanky, a local coaching legend.

Don attended BYU on a football scholarship and played the position of quarterback from 1954-1957. He loved his college experience and being part of the Bricker social unit. As a senior, he met a young freshman from California named Diane Scott. The two fell in love and ended up writing every day for seven months while Don served in the military after college. Don was sealed to Diane on 27 February 1959 in the Salt Lake Temple.

Don received a Bachelor’s Degree from BYU and a Master’s in Psychiatric Social Work from the University of Utah in 1963. Don’s first job out of college was in Richfield, Utah, but the majority of his career was spent in Provo, Utah. Don joined the staff of the Utah State Hospital in Provo in 1965. He first worked as a social worker and treatment coordinator at the youth center, then as administrative director of the youth center, and later as assistant superintendent of the hospital. He also worked for eight years part-time as an instructor at the BYU School of Social Work. Don ended his career as a therapist at the Discovery Academy in Provo, an adolescent treatment facility.

Don and Diane have three daughters and two sons, all of whom they adore. Don was a very patient father and a great listener. When asked, he would give his children very wise counsel and advice. He was generous with his time and resources, and he and Diane spent many hours cheering on their children in their many activities.

Don was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in numerous capacities including as a bishop of a BYU singles ward and again as a bishop in his home ward in Provo. He also served as a full-time missionary with his wife Diane serving at the St. George Historical Sites. Don has a firm testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ and of His restored gospel.

Don loved being with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He also loved black licorice; caramel milkshakes; Diet Coke; music from the crooners’ era; classic movies; BYU sports; playing tennis; spending time on the beach; and singing ‘Slow Boat to China’ to his wife, Diane. He was a content man, comfortable in his own skin. He loved spending time with others, but he was also happy to be alone and reading a novel. Don had a fantastic sense of humor and a great deal of charm and wit. He was very skilled at complimenting others and expressing love and affection. Don was always very pleasant and fun to be around – remarkably, even through all of the years of Alzheimer’s. He will be dearly missed by all of his loved ones.

Don is survived by his devoted and loving wife of 65 years, Diane; four of their five children: Scott Dixon; Shelley (Lee) Johnson; Sean (M’Shelle) Dixon; and Kerry (Todd) Gurney; 23 grandchildren; and 26 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, his siblings, and his oldest daughter Debbie Wood. We are confident that there has been a joyous reunion on the other side of the veil.

The family wishes to express heartfelt thanks to the wonderful caretakers at Abbington Memory Care in Lehi, Utah for their exceptional and compassionate care of Don.

Services are under the direction of Olpin Family Mortuary in Pleasant Grove, Utah.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, 26 June 2024 at 11:00 AM in the Springside Stake Center, located at 587 South Saratoga Road, Saratoga Springs, Utah. Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Wednesday morning from 9:00-10:30 AM prior to services at the church. Interment will follow at the East Lawn Cemetery in Provo, Utah.

If you are unable to attend funeral services, please copy/paste the link below to join the funeral broadcast:
https://olpinmortuary.com/obituaries/donald-dixon-2024