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Allen Dixon

November 29, 2022
Kalamazoo, MI

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Dixon, Allen L. 8/23/1936 - 11/29/2022 Oshtemo Allen (Al) Lloyd Dixon, age 86, went home to kneel before the Lord on Tuesday, November 29th, 2022, following a brief illness and after suffering the loss of his eldest son Matthew, one week earlier. Born in Kalamazoo on August 23, 1936, he was the son of Lloyd V. and Laura M. (Stedman) Dixon. He enjoyed a wonderful Christian family upbringing due to the care and guidance of his loving parents. He attended Milwood Elementary School and Kalamazoo Central High School, where in 1954, Al set a new Class A state track record in the 440-yard dash. He also attended Western Michigan and Michigan State Universities. While at MSU, during the summer of 1955, he and three fraternity brothers bought an old 1946 jalopy and drove to Alaska where fame and fortune awaited them in the gold mines. They would work for the US Mining, Smelting, and Refining Co. to get rich. By the end of that summer, the four of them returned to their studies at MSU after many great adventures, but no fame and certainly no fortune. Al joined the Master-Craft Corp in 1957 and was elected president in 1966 when he was only 29 years old. As president, he oversaw operations in Kalamazoo, Valdosta, GA, Norman, OK, and Gardena, CA. After serving 15 years in that capacity, he retired in 1981. Additionally, in 1977, he founded A.L.D. Inc, an excavating and trucking company. In 1986 with his faithful companion Karen by his side, he took that show on the road out West, first in Golden, CO and then to Mesa, AZ. Missing their hometown, Al and Karen returned to Kalamazoo in 1989 when he joined Wright Coating Co. as a VP. One year later, he was elected president, then became a co-owner and served in that capacity until ill health forced his retirement in 1999. Al served as a director or trustee of many organizations, including the First of America Bank, Kalamazoo College, Bronson Methodist Hospital, the Greater Kalamazoo United Way, Junior Achievement and the Kalamazoo County Chamber of Commerce, where he served two terms as treasurer and one as VP of Financial Affairs. He was also a life member of Fidelity Masonic Lodge #513 F & AM and a 32nd degree Mason. In addition to his many friends and relatives, he leaves behind his best friend and loving wife Karen (Erickson) Dixon, with whom he spent nearly 24 years of matrimony. Together they spent their winters in North Port, FL and enjoyed traveling the country with many friends on their Harley Davidson. Prior to moving into town, Al and Karen enjoyed their beloved "Wild Rose Ranch" in Mattawan, where they took great pleasure caring for their cats and two Belgian draft horses, Bill and Bob. Also left to mourn Al's passing are his son, Paul (Donna VanDyken) Dixon, a very special daughter Cynthia Dixon, stepdaughter Kristin Mayville, daughter-in-law Tracy Dixon; grandchildren Jacob and Haley Dixon, Shawna Johnson, Jacob (Melissa) Chambers, and Jenna (Seth) Teets; sisters Marian Day and Joyce (Walt) Weissbach; four and one-half great-grandchildren, one great-great granddaughter, and his affectionate cat, Reggie. Preceding him in death were his parents, Lloyd and Laura Dixon, and his son Matthew Dixon, with whom he now celebrates a heavenly reunion. Visitation for Al will be held from 6-8pm on Friday, December 9th, at Joldersma & Klein Funeral Home, 917 S. Burdick St, Kalamazoo. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, December 10th at 11:00 am at Texas Corners Bible Church, 7780 S. 8th St, Kalamazoo, MI, with Pastor David E. Thompson officiating. Interment will be in Mt. Ever-Rest Memorial Park South. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial to his favorite charity, Animals Best Friend Fund, PO Box 443, Oshtemo, MI, 49077, or to the SPCA of Southwest MI, or Texas Corners Bible Church, c/o the funeral home. Family and friends may share a condolence message online at www.joldersma-klein.com.