Ralph E. Dixon

Marysvale, Utah - Ralph Eugene Dixon, age 97, of Marysvale, Utah, died April 10, 2008 in Richfield, Utah. He was born February 7, 1911 in Escondido, California, a son of James Benjamin and Ethel Melvina Young Dixon. He graduated from Escondido High School, and attended Woodbury Business College and graduated in 1931. He married Wanda Rose Lanham, June 17, 1928 in Tiajuana, Mexico. She died October 7, 1991. Ralph worked on the family owned avocado and citrus ranch for many years, doing custom work, planting and ordering for groves of absentee owners. He worked as Secretary and manager for the Del Mar, California Utilities for 13 years. He was promoted to Superintendent of Public Works for Del Mar for two years prior to his retirement in 1968. After retiring, he and his wife moved to Marysvale, Utah. He served as a member of the Orange Glen School Board in Escondido, California and served as Vice President and as secretary to the Escondido Chamber of Commerce. He served on the Escondido Lemon Association Board of Directors. He was past President of the Escondido Rotary Club from 1951-52; past president of Del Mar Rotary Club from 1965-66; past secretary of Del Mar Rotary Club 1967-68; served as Masonic Worshipful Master in 1941 in Escondido (Consuelo Lodge) and served on the Piute Jeep Posse in 1969 and became a lifetime member. Ralph enjoyed ATV riding, hunting, fishing, bottle collecting and rock hounding. He was an Ornithologist - participated in banding birds and photographing mostly hawks and golden eagles in their natural habitat, on both still pictures and 16mm film. Ralph is survived by his children: Betty and Roger Shappee, Ethel and Bill Norman, all of Escondido, CA; Shirley and Richard Weinberg of New Castle, CA; Ralph F. And Kristie Dixon of Marysvale; 13 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren; a brother: James E. Dixon of Escondido, CA. Graveside services will be held Friday, April 18, 2008 at 2:00 P.M. in the El Camino Memorial Park, 5600 Carroll Canyon Road in San Diego under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield, Salina and Gunnison, Utah. Memorial services will be held Saturday, April 26, 2008 at 5:00 P.M. in the Marysvale Baptist Church where friends may visit with the family one hour prior to the services. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Heart Association in the name of Ralph E. Dixon.