Paul William Dixon

Paul William Dixon passed away on September 21, 2021 at the age of 82. His long-term engagement in the service of others started at childhood and spans multiple decades. Paul was born to Reverend Charles Dixon and Maudie (Cherry) Dixon in Coffeyville, Kansas. His siblings included Johnny Dixon, Charles P. Dixon II, Vernon L. Dixon, Phillip Dixon, Donald E. "Forty" Dixon and Winona Allen (Foster Sister).

Anyone who knew Paul well also knew of his voracious appetite for learning. His earliest memories of learning were on the farm with his grandfather’s hay field workers. After graduating from Field Kindley Memorial  High School (1957) he went on to acquire an Associate of Arts degree from Coffeyville Junior College (1959). He was recruited to attend Kansas Teachers College in Pittsburg, Kansas where he transferred to Wichita State University to complete his Bachelor of Science degree (1966). In 1966 Paul followed his younger brother Donald "Forty" Dixon to Portland, Oregon where taught at Timberlake Job Corps and met his future wife, Billie Woods. Shortly afterwards Paul began teaching at Highland Elementary, (later named Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary) while taking courses at Oregon State University to obtain his Master of Education Degree. Several years later he also obtained a Masters Degree in Social Work from Marylhurst College. This led to a new role as a therapist and mental health counselor for a number of organizations in roles ranging from service worker to clinic director. He managed to get several courses completed on his journey toward a Doctorate Degree through the Field Institute Doctoral program in Santa Barbara but did not complete the degree. 

Paul had a long journey of faith and service. As a child he was baptized at the 12th Street Baptist Church where he also led Youthful Knights. This role is where Paul was gifted with the Roberts Rules of Order book by mother Maudie Dixon. The tools provided in this book became a cornerstone of what would become decades of leadership in every community in which he was involved. In 1967 Paul met and married Billie (Woods) Dixon. To this union, there were two children: Myron Dixon and L. "Sunshine" Dixon. Years later, Paul moved to the Salem/Keizer area of Oregon where he resided until his death. 

Civic engagement, community involvement and advocacy work was always a major part of Paul’s life. Even in his final days, Paul was engaged with charity work in Keizer, Oregon.

Some of his civic engagement work and community involvement included the following:
Nellie Thompson-Dorothy Patch Scholarship Fund -President
Pauline AME Zion Memorial Church - multiple roles including District Lay Council President, Head Usher, Class Leader, Food Bank, Director/Support 

Cherry Family Leadership - Contributing family historian, reunion planning
Lions Club - President 
St. Joseph's Grand Lodge Mason - Leader 

Portland Pastime Roles: 
Jefferson High School Moms and Dads Club, President 
Good Sam Charioteers Black RV Club, President
Bowling League, President 

Fraternal Roles: 
Paul was a life member of Portland Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Inc. Fraternity. He was initiated in the Portland Alumni Chapter in June 1983. 
He was also 33rd Degree at St Joseph Mason Lodge with past leadership roles.

Paul loved learning; he enjoyed researching family history, creating works of art, counting everything, completing the highest level Sudoku puzzles, reading, and texting friends and loved ones. 

Paul has received many awards and honors over the years. 

Paul was preceded in death by father Charlie Dixon, mother Maudie Dixon, brothers; Johnny Dixon, Charles P Dixon II, Vernon L. Dixon, and Donald "Forty" Dixon; and Billie D. Woods Dixon (former wife).

He leaves behind to cherish his memories a host of relatives including his children Myron Dixon and Sunshine Dixon;  grandchildren Terrell Dixon and Khendra (Dixon) Bradford, Winona Allen (Foster Sister), and a host of family, friends, and loved ones. 

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