Charles Richard Dixon

Charles Richard “Dick or Dickie” Dixon, age 89 formally of Valdosta, Georgia passed away peacefully on July 20, 2026.

He was born on January 15, 1937 in DeWitt, Arkansas to the late J.R. and Nelia Haller Dixon. He is preceded in death by his son, Richard Guy Dixon, two brothers, Louis Allyn Dixon and Joel Robert Dixon, and a daughter-in-law, Pamela Baumgardner Dixon.

A natural leader from an early age, Dick was active in scouting where he earned numerous honors, served in leadership roles and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and later became a Scoutmaster. He also was a member of the Order of the Arrow. His service to scouting remained throughout the rest of his life. The values of faith, service, leadership, and perseverance that he learned through scouting remained evident throughout his life.

Dick graduated from Pine Bluff High School in Pine Bluff, Arkansas in 1954 where he served his fellow students in several leadership positions such as Student Council, Future Business Leaders, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and served as Sports Editor for the Pine Cone and other organizations including roles at Lakeside Methodist Church.

Dick attended Arkansas State Teachers College in Conway, Arkansas (now the University of Central Arkansas), where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1958. He was deeply involved in campus life, serving in numerous leadership roles, including President roles in Student Senate, his Sophomore Class and his fraternity, Sigma Tau Gamma. His dedication to his alma mater continued long after graduation, as he later served as President of the UCA Alumni Association and served on the UCA Board of Trustees as Chairman in 1981, appointed by then Governor Dale Bumpers.

After college and starting a family, Dick briefly taught eighth grade math and science at Dial Junior High School in Pine Bluff and proudly served in the United States Air Force, before beginning his business career. After five years with Virco Manufacturing Corporation, he joined the family furniture business in 1964. He became President and Owner of Exchange Furniture Company, in Pine Bluff, AR, a longtime Dixon family business, where he remained until it’s closing in 1982.

During his years in Pine Bluff, Dick was elected to the Democratic Central Committee for Jefferson County and helped with several political campaigns. He served in numerous community, civic and professional leadership positions including the Jefferson County Election Commission, Hospital Board, Board of Education, School Board, PTA and Tax Board.

His passion for youth and community involvement was especially evident through his service and leadership with Scouting, Pine Bluff Boys Club, President of Pine Bluff Junior Babe Ruth and Little League Baseball. He was also Vice President of the 1972 and 1975 Junior Babe Ruth Baseball World Series and was on the Taylor Field Baseball Commission.

Following the closing of his business in 1982, Dick continued to build a career in business and economic development. He served as General Manager for Health Management Associates in Pine Bluff before returning to the furniture industry as a Manufacturers Sales Representative across Southern Arkansas. Recognized for his leadership and business expertise, he was later selected to serve as Director of the Small Business Development Center at East Community College in Forrest City, Arkansas.

In 1986, Dick and his wife Andrea moved to Sarasota, Florida, where Dick served as a Small Business Counselor and Analyst at the University of South Florida/New College. He later joined Andrea in managing her family’s orange grove business until its sale. While living in both Florida and later Arkansas, they shared a love for real estate and enjoyed a number of real estate ventures together. The couple eventually moved back to Arkansas where Dick devoted his talents to economic and community development, serving as an Economic Development Specialist and Osceola Center Coordinator for the Mississippi County Community College, the Harold Ohlendorf Institute in Osceola. Upon retirement, they relocated to Valdosta, Georgia to be closer to family.

Above all, Dick loved his family. He is survived by his wife, Andrea Smoak Dixon; his children Joel Steven Dixon of Little Rock, AR and Janice Diane Key(Richard) of Port St. Joe, FL.; grandchildren, Ashlyn Carol Jefferson(Nolan), Cassidy Marie Key, Lindsey Hosford, Marcus Hosford(Jess Pingrey); Stepchildren, Tanya Carter(LaGary), Lynn Annis(Mark), David Hadwin(Andrea); grandchildren, Quinton Carter(Charla), Andrew Carter, Kimberly Reamey, April White, Damon Hadwin(Stephanie).

Dick was loved by several grandchildren, nieces, and nephews who called him Pepaw, Papa Dick, and Uncle Dickie.

Dick never met a stranger and made friends everywhere he went. His kindness, leadership, and love for people touched many lives through the years. He was a faithful member of the Church of Christ.

The family will celebrate the life of Charles Richard Dixon at 12:00 noon on Friday, July 31, 2026 at Dasher Church of Christ, 4326 Dasher Rd, Valdosta, GA 31601 with burial to follow in Dasher Cemetery, Dasher, Georgia. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. Kind words and expressions of sympathy can be left for the family at www.musicfuneralservices.com. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions in Dick’s memory be sent to Scouting America (National), https://donations.scouting.org/national or the Humane Society of Valdosta, GA, https://checkout.shelterluv.com/donate/HSVL. The Dixon family is being served by the professional and caring staff of Music Funeral Services of Valdosta.