Joseph Landon Dixon - Organ Donor
Dear Little Landon,Your name, Landon, means "to come from a long hill." Your namesake, Joseph Landon Dixon, was such a man. Born and raised in the Appalachian Mountains of Cumberland, Kentucky, your grandfather became a man of great character whose loyalty to family and friends alike was his great legacy. Life dealt its share of pain, but he bore it with dignity, wit, and an unselfish love. He came to St. Louis as just a teenager. The sights and sounds, and even the type of work, of a merging metropolis were strange to a young man who loved being outdoors, fishing, or hunting or clearing the side of a mountain so that his mother could raise a garden. In some ways, your grandpa was always intimidated by this hurried life which scrambles for the latest advancement in automation or computers. Yet, he thrived during this time, for God granted him a wisdom, which no college degree could confer, a wisdom that was stirred by compassion, humility, and service. Landon, you were only five months old when he peacefully joined his Savior in heaven, but you need to know the man whose name you bear. We must remember what his life meant because through his devotion and generosity he is now a part of so many lives, and we do not want to forget him. His dignity was evident in his constant acts of love for others. Your Grandpa Dixon served others in quiet ways. He visited many hospital rooms, he gave his Saturdays or evenings to help someone with a repair, and he generously gave when he could to a struggling minister, a widow, or whoever was in need. But above all else, Grandpa Dixon served others by always being there for whatever. Whenever he received a phone call, he stopped whatever he was doing to help. He lived for his wife, children, and grandchildren, always taking time to fix a broken necklace, take a little one fishing or to McDonald's or just sit and listen with fascination about the antics of a grandchild. Nothing lit up his face more than an achievement of one of his grandchildren; he was so proud of you when you were born and even prouder still when you first smiled and cooed at him. Less than a week ago, he bragged about your ability to roll over in both directions! You would have adored him, just like Lindsay and Mary and Kelsey before you. Though Grandpa Dixon was a quiet man, his love and loyalty spoke volumes, and we cannot forget. His wit was evident in the twinkle of his eyes. He nicknamed everyone with alarming accuracy. He loved a good story or joke. Humor was how he dealt with pain and teasing was how he showed his love. Whether he was teasing his future bride about her hair on their first acquaintance or teasing one of his teenage daughters about her hair-do or current boyfriend, a boyish mischievous twinkle shown in his eyes to tell you that he'd stand by you no matter what happened. And he did. Grandpa Dixon was fond of driving trucks, and his truck became a symbol of his steadfastness. Somehow, no matter what chaos was happening when Grandpa's blue truck showed up, things seemed bearable. Your Grandpa Dixon, along with Grandma, raised his family to know God, and especially to appreciate the world God created. He hunted, fished, boated, camped, gardened, or just tinkered about if it meant he could be outdoors. But it was in the early moments of the day when he was sipping his coffee on the deck of his lakehouse watching some ducks eat the breadcrumbs he'd left for them, that he felt his deep appreciation for God's creation. His love was evident in his hands. He could remove a splinter or the stinger from a bee as well as any surgeon; he could grow anything he planted or nurse someone else's neglected plant back to life. He could keep an old car running well past its time and he could fillet a freshly caught fish so cleanly, a small child could eat it without worry of a bone. And he never did a job halfway. Though slower and more methodical than most, anyone could be sure that the job was done right whether it was installing a new computer system at work, building stairs at his lakehouse, hanging a picture frame for his wife, or hanging the shades in your room. It didn't matter how important or trivial a task was, he did it with pride. Landon, I know that there is no one more sorry that Grandpa can't be with you than Grandpa himself. No one was prouder of his namesake than he. We don't know why he had to leave before you got to really know him. But we know that God has his plans, and we accept these plans for that is what your grandpa would have done. In dark times, he would wrap his arms around his wife, his children, or his grandchildren and say, "It's going to be all right, honey." And we believed him for his love was deep and true. Little boy, know that you were given the gift of a name, the name of a man with great character. His life represents a rare love and devotion to God and to those who knew him. Bear his name well and remember the legacy with which you've been blessed. Love, Your mother, the daughter of Joseph Landon Dixon |
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