Albert "Don" Donald Dixon

DIXON, Albert Donald (Don) passed away on August 16, 2021. Don was born in Black, Alabama on March 11, 1937 as the oldest son of Henry and Nell McDonald Dixon. He was preceded in death by both of his parents and his two younger siblings, Gerald and Linda. He often bragged of being born in a log cabin with dirt floors, instead of a hospital. As a young boy, the Dixon family moved to Tampa in 1939.

Don is survived by his amazing wife Joyce of 63 years, his two sons Derek (Kelly) and Dustin (Emily) and his three grandchildren Madison, Tripp and Dillon.

Growing up in Tampa, Don attended W. B. Henderson Elementary School, Oak Grove Junior High School and Hillsborough High School, graduating in 1955. He also earned his Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Tampa in 1960.

Don was employed by the Internal Revenue Service for over 32 years and he earned many special achievement awards over the years for exemplary service. Don was also a life long soldier, giving over 36 years of military service to his country in the National Guard and Army Reserve. He began as a Private E-1 in 1955, yet in 1991 he retired as a full Colonel and was awarded the Legion of Merit. Even when Don officially retired from the IRS and the Army Reserve in 1991, he never stopped working as he went back to his roots as a barber for the next 30 years until his untimely death.

Don loved his family and friends, was extremely active and he especially loved woodworking where he would make special one-of-a-kind gifts for people. He was a firm believer that if something was worth doing, it was worth doing well.

Gathering of Friends and family will be held on Saturday, August 21st from 1pm to 2pm at Blount and Curry Funeral Home, 605 S. MacDill Avenue. A celebration of life will begin at 2pm. In lieu of flowers or gifts, please make contributions to the American Heart Association or the American Diabetes Association in his honor.