R. Earl Dixon Sr

Robert Earl Dixon, Sr. entered Heavens gate March 16,2016 hours after greeting his wife of 67 years Louise W Dixon home from rehab after a broken hip. He was born March 11,1927 in Bronson, Fl to Joseph and Edith Dixon. Earl is predeceased by his son Robert E Dixon Jr. and sister Mary Waddle.

In addition to Louise he is survived by his sister Betty Lane, daughter and son in law Carolyn and George Richardson III, and their children arah “SugarBabe” and husband Robert Gens, and George Richardson IV (Will) , daughter in law Susan Dixon and grandchildren Robert E Dixon, III wife Kristen great grand children Ryland and Regan, and Katie Dixon Graham husband Jason and great granddaughter Margot.

Earl was a graduate and staff member of the University of Florida Department of Entomology when he was hired by Otto Orkin to begin his career in the pest control industry. He and Louise founded Peninsular Pest Control Service in 1954 from their home in Arlington, which grew into one of Northeast Florida’s largest independent pest control businesses.

He was elected to the Florida House of Representatives from Duval County in 1968 and later served as Chairman of Appropriations. Earl was re-elected four times until he decided not to seek re-election in 1978. The same year he was appointed to the State Ethics Commission. He held many professional, service and civic affiliations, including Director of Jacksonville National Bank, Greater Jacksonville Fair Association, Methodist Hospital Foundation Board of Directors, Florida Tax Watch, Past Chairman, State Pest Control Commission, Past President of the Florida Pest Control Association (Pioneer Award). Past Vice President, National Pest Control Association A Scottish Rite Mason, and Shriner with the Moroccan Temple, Royal Order of Jesters….Riverside Rotary Club (Paul Harris Fellow), Phi Sigma Honorary Biological Society, Pi Chi Omega, Honorary Entomological Society, Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity

Earl and Louise enjoyed traveling the world on cruises and their motorhome making many longtime friends along the way like Justice Clarence Thomas family.

Earl was a member of Hope Lutheran Church in Welaka, Fl where they had lived for 25 years. U. S. Army 1946-48 Armored Calvary & Signal Corp.

A funeral service will be conducted on Saturday, March 19, 2016 at 12:00pm at St Mark’s Lutheran Church, 3976 Hendricks Ave. Jacksonville, FL 32207 with interment in Oaklawn Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Hope Lutheran Church P O Box 132

Satsuma, FL 32189 or a charity of your choice.

Arrangements are under the direction of Hardage-Giddens Greenlawn Funeral Home.

Please offer condolences at www.greenlawnjacksonville.com