Allen Cloar Dixon Jr.

ALLEN CLOAR DIXON JR., loving dad, friend and family man, passed away on April 30. He went peacefully, surrounded by his children. Known to many by nickname "Bobby", he was a gregarious man who never met a stranger and was loved by all. Quick-witted and feisty, he lived a full life traveling the continental U.S., Alaska and Europe with the Armed Forces, and then settled at home in North Little Rock, Ark. He is survived by his children and their spouses, Patricia Anne Inman (Mark), Richard Allen Dixon (Beth), Carol Sue Hammett (Lloyd), and Elizabeth [Libbi] Whitehurst (Scott) as well as grandchildren Justin, Allison and Sara Grace Inman; Christian Dixon; Lauren Stroud; Ashley Stratton; Josh and John Whitehurst; great-children Brianna Stroud, Devin Smith and Kingston Smith; his cousins Drew Illing and Susan Illing Epperson (who were more like siblings), and his friend and companion Bettie Lou Gray. Bobby was born in 1931 in Little Rock, Ark. to Allen Cloar Dixon Sr. and Frances Julia Tolson Dixon. He attended Arkansas State Teachers College where he met the love of his life and wife of 57 years, the late Laveta Grace Hammond Dixon. A 22 year military veteran, he received many honors during his distinguished military career, retiring in 1974 as a Lieutenant Colonel. He served three years as a Congressional Liaison Officer in Washington, D.C., working primarily with the U.S. Senate, and served three years in Alaska as an Artillery Battalion Commander and as Deputy for Personnel and Community Activities. In his early days, he signed up to be a paratrooper so he could earn extra money for his growing family, making a total of 67 parachute jumps. Following his military retirement, Bobby was Director of Operations at Barton Coliseum and Arkansas State Fairgrounds. He loved the variety of the work, the many different people who crossed his path and keeping things hyper-organized (and his kids loved the free concert and event tickets!). The family sends a special thank you to the staff at Springhill Baptist Memorial for their loving care during his final days. A celebration of Bobby's life will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2015 at 10 a.m. at his life-long church, Primrose United Methodist Church, 3006 W Dixon Road, Little Rock, Ark. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Primrose United Methodist Church. Online obituary at www.SmithFamilyCares.com.