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Local Civic Leader Leaves Legacy of Honor, Good Works

From staff reports

Whether you knew him as James, Jim, Jimmy, J.H. or Jay Dixon, you knew he was a very special person - a visionary who returned to his native county and devoted his life to his country and community.

Jay Dixon, of Gate City, passed away Jan. 20, 2012 at the age of 71. He returned to Scott County in the early 2000s with his wife, Carol, to use his talents and influence to improve the quality of life.

Born and raised in Nickelsville, Jay was the son of the late Marjorie L. Bond and James Howard Dixon. He loved to tell the story about working at the family’s mill, Bush Mill.

The family owned and operated the mill for three generations and Jay intended to preserve and restore the family’s heritage as part of the Bush Mill Rehabilitation Project. The project is under the auspices of the Southwest Virginia Community Foundation, a non-profit foundation he and his wife, Carol, started to affect positive change in Scott County.

It is fitting that memorial contributions to honor Jay Dixon should go the foundation dedicated to keep his legacy and memory alive. Donations can be sent to Southwest Virginia Community Foundation, PO Box 519, Gate City, Va. 24251.

The foundation also worked on other projects such as the Gate City Performing Arts Center, Clinch Mountain Arts & Crafts and the Clinch Mountain Music Fest.

As a military man, Jay worked his way through the army beginning at age 18 in 1958 when he joined after he dropped out of high school. He retired as a lieutenant colonel after serving 23 years.

In between, Dixon served his country in Korea and Vietnam, flying helicopters in Southeast Asia and becoming a member of the elite Special Forces. He also taught Special Forces and Green Berets at Fort Bragg, N.C.

Teaching became a new career for Jay as joined the faculty at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. and the National War College in Washington, D.C.

Dixon earned the military’s highest honors including the Bronze Star and two Meritorious Service Medals along with numerous other awards.

He is the best advertisement for the GED program. After quitting high school, Dixon went on to earn not only his GED but a Ph.D. in international relations and quantitative methods from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Jay also received an engineering degree and a master’s degree in political science from Auburn University.

After retirement from the army, he became a consultant to government agencies as a military strategist and information systems designer.

Dixon has been an advisor to key members of the U.S. Congress and staff. He recently led a Department of Defense (DoD) "Tiger Team" in Iraq to assess Coalition Political Authority personnel in National Security and Defense/Security Affairs, the New Iraqi Army, Ministries of Defense, Communications and Interior and the Program Management Office responsible for $ 18.4 billion in Iraqi reconstruction.

He spent several years working with “special access programs” for national defense.

Many knew Jay as a musical man who loved to entertain and graciously shared his talents at lots of local events.

He was also a published author with his most recent book, a novel called “The Secret War,” a thriller loosely based on Dixon’s military experiences.

Perhaps, most of all Jay Dixon was a man who always had a smile on his face and a dream to make the world a better place. His vision, commitment and leadership will be missed.
Dixon was laid to rest yesterday afternoon in Holston View Cemetery in Weber City.

He is survived by his loving wife, Carol Dixon; two sisters, Mary E. Isaacs and Florence E. Thompson; brother-in-law, George Isaacs; five children, Kimberly A. Thompson, Theresa L. Seal, James W. Dixon, Eugene D. Dixon, Janie R. Reinhard; 10 grandchildren, Austin J. Salazar, Ashley R. Nelson, Amber B. Hall, Devon B. Seal, Hailey A. Seal, Angela M. Reinhard, Jesse Dixon and Caleb Dixon; two step-grandchildren, Jessica L Kitchen and Hanna M. Glasson; great-grandchildren, Paige M. Nelson, William A. Nelson, Forest K. Nelson, Liam C.J. Salazar, Abigal D. Kitchen, Conner M. Kitchen, Alexander L. Glasson, James M. Glasson, Daryl J. Hall and Evin K. Hall; cousins, uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and friends.