He was a graduate of Whitehaven High School. He also attended the University of Tennessee at Martin. Robert served in the U.S. Marine Corps and was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant. He won the Lightweight Golden Gloves in 1955. He was a Master Electrician and a member of IBEW for over 65 years. He was a former member and deacon at Whitehaven Baptist Church. He later attended Colonial Baptist Church, Grace Evangelical Church, and Central Church.
He is survived by his son, Ken Dixon (Greta) of Lakeland; daughters, Robin Hughes of Collierville and Chris Bradley (Scott) of Collierville; brother, Jim Dixon (Peggy); sister-in-law, Carolyn T. Dixon; and grandchildren, Dixie Hughes of College Station, TX, Caroline Beyer (Shane) of Centerton, AR, Melissa Jones (Dustin) of Collierville, Lauren Dixon of Memphis, Taylor Bradley (Melaina) of Portland, OR, and Ashley Boshell (Andrew) of Tyler, TX. He is also survived by his great-grandchildren, Ashlyn Jones and Easton Jones of Collierville, Millie Mae Beyer of Centerton, Liv Boshell, Maggie Boshell, Eden Boshell, and Annie Boshell of Tyler, Silas Dixon, Elle Dixon, and Lollie Dixon of Memphis.
Robert was preceded in death by his parents, first wife, Carolyn Dixon, second wife, Ruby Dixon, brothers, Pete Dixon and Tom Dixon, and son-in-law, David Hughes.
The family will receive friends at visitation on Thursday, March 14 from 1:00 PM until the funeral service at 2:00 PM, at Memphis Funeral Home, 5599 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN 38119. Interment will be at Forest Hill South Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be directed to Calvary Rescue Mission, 960 South 3rd Street, Memphis, TN 38106.