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2012 SESSION

12104652D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 346
Offered February 9, 2012
Celebrating the life of Jay Dixon.
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Patrons-- Kilgore; Senator: Carrico
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WHEREAS, Jay Dixon, a highly decorated soldier, author, and musician who returned to his roots in Scott County and worked on a number of significant cultural and economic projects for the region, died on January 20, 2012; and

WHEREAS, a native of Nickelsville, Jay Dixon worked as a youth at the third-generation family business, the Bush Mill, loading flour sacks; he attended Lynn View High School before joining the United States Army and embarking on a remarkable military career that spanned 23 years before his retirement as a lieutenant colonel; and

WHEREAS, Jay Dixon’s military career included service in the 44th Engineer Construction Battalion in Korea, as a member and instructor for Special Forces, as a warrant officer aviator in Vietnam, and as a faculty member at the United States Military Academy at West Point and the National War College in Washington, D.C.; and

WHEREAS, Jay Dixon earned a Bronze Star Medal, two Meritorious Service Medals, seven Air Medals, Vietnam Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Parachutist Badge, Senior Army Aviator Badge, and Ranger Tab during his military career; and

WHEREAS, while proudly serving his country, Jay Dixon went on to earn his GED, a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from Auburn University, and a doctorate from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; and

WHEREAS, after retiring from the military, Jay Dixon worked as a consultant to civil and defense government agencies and as a military and information systems designer; he also published several books; and

WHEREAS, in the early 2000s, Jay Dixon came back to his hometown and immersed himself in civic and community affairs, forming the Southwest Virginia Community Foundation with his wife, Carol; beginning the renovation of his family’s historic mill; and serving on the Carter Family Fold advisory board; and

WHEREAS, Jay Dixon had a deep appreciation of and admiration for the music of Southwest Virginia and helped organize the annual Clinch Mountain Music Festival and worked to establish the Gate City Performing Arts Center to showcase the region’s talent; and

WHEREAS, after a rewarding and fulfilling life marked by distinguished service to his country, Jay Dixon spent his last years as he began them, cradled in the mountains of Southwest Virginia; and

WHEREAS, a devoted family man, Jay Dixon will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by his wife, Carol; children, Kimberly, Theresa, James, Eugene, and Janie, and their families; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby note with great sadness the loss of a favorite son of Scott County, Jay Dixon; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Jay Dixon as an expression of the General Assembly’s respect for his memory.