Anchor Point resident Claude “Larry” Dixon Jr., 71, died Dec. 21, 2012, at South Peninsula Hospital, Homer. A 35-year Alaska resident, Larry was born Jan. 28, 1941, in Blackshear, Ga., to Claude and Vera (Hunter) Dixon. He grew up in Thunderbolt and Savannah, Ga. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force at age 19, and served four years. His last duty station was Patrick Air Force Base in Florida. He met his wife there and they settled in Melbourne, Fla., and all four of his children were born there.
After leaving the Air Force, Larry was employed at the Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral, Fla., for 15 years as an electronic technician. Often he stated he helped put man on the moon. Larry was educated as an electronic technician, but he was an engineer at heart. He could make anything work and he could build anything. If he could not find the part to make something work, he would make that part. He won several awards for his service and cost savings while employed.
In 1978, Larry moved his family to Fairbanks, where he found his home and the state he never wanted to leave. He was employed at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Media Services, IMPACT, for 15 years until his retirement. After exploring the state, he settled in Anchor Point, where he could be near the ocean, as he truly loved the beach and ocean fishing.
Larry and his wife, Fran (Gilbert) Dixon, were married for over 48 years. He has four surviving children: Carla Sparks of Valdez; Paula Thomason of Carson, Iowa; Lynnette Straw of Omaha, Neb.; and Greg Dixon of Fairbanks. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren: Josie and Earl Halvarson; Kyle Thomason; Caleb Burke; Miranda, Evan and Gabriella Straw; and Reily, Tatelyn and Caden Dixon.
His brothers and sisters survive Larry: Joan Paul, Jerry Dixon, and Jimmy Dixon of Georgia, and Deborah Hall and Jonny Dixon.
Larry will be greatly missed by his wife, especially, family and friends. There were no services and his ashes will be spead into Kachemak Bay at a later time, at Larry’s request.