Robert Alva Dixon

Robert Alva Dixon, age 88, passed away at his home in Wanamaker, Indiana on Sunday, April 7th, 2024 surrounded by family and loved ones. He was born September 3rd, 1935 in Columbus, Ohio, the oldest son of Alva Reginald and Jennie (Smith) Dixon.

Robert (Bob) loved playing and watching sports, especially Ohio State football. After graduating from West High in Columbus, Bob briefly attended Ohio State before enlisting in the U.S. Army. He was stationed in Frankfurt, Germany during the Korean War working in Intelligence.

Bob graduated from David Lipscomb College in Nashville, Tennessee with a Bachelor’s in Physical Education and a Minor in Religious Education. At Lipscomb, he met and married his wife of over 63 years, Joan (Snell) Dixon.

Bob and his wife had four children and spent a lifetime in teaching and mission work, most notably 15 combined years as missionaries in Africa (Nigeria, Cameroon, and Swaziland). Bob also held various positions and roles at Southeastern Church of Christ (Indianapolis), Indianapolis Christian School, and Wabashi Bible Camp.

In Nigeria, his nickname was “Powerful”, but Bob knew that the power is the gospel of Jesus, and it was his life’s ambition to spread the Good News.

Bob is survived by his wife, Joan Dixon; his children Mark Dixon, Michael Dixon, Jonda Pieper, and Murry (Kim) Dixon; his grandchildren Daniel, Andrew, Murry II, Charlie, Rebekah, Drake, Devin, Chace, Charity, Audree, Annie, Lily, and Molly; his sisters Vera Murphree and Mardell (Lew) Leibrand, and a sister-in-law Colleen Dixon; his twelve great-grandchildren and a host of extended family.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Ron.

Services will be held Saturday, April 13th at the Southeastern Church of Christ, 6500 Southeastern Avenue, Indianapolis. Visitation will be at 10:00am and a Celebration of Life at Noon, with procession to Orchard Hill Cemetery in Wanamaker to follow.

Memorial gifts for Cameroon Mission Fund will be collected at the service, or may be sent directly to:

Beech Hill Church of Christ (Memo: Cameroon Mission Fund)

Attn: Mitch Ward

PO Box 37

Ripley, MS 38663