DIXON, Howard IngramHoward I. Dixon passed away on October 21, 2016, just under three weeks shy of his 95th birthday. Howard was born on November 7, 1921, near Rosston, Arkansas. As a young man, he entered the US Army Air Corps, rising through the enlisted ranks with each successful assignment he completed. At the end of his almost 30-year career in the U.S. Air Force, he had risen to the rank of Chief Master Sergeant, the highest available rank for a non-commissioned officer. He met and married the love of his life, the former Bessie Mae Stamos (pictured above), on August 17, 1941, in Seguin, Texas. Bessie Mae preceded Howard into Heaven in March of 2009, but they shared almost 68 years of love and companionship as they raised a family together at various military bases across the country. Howard is survived by his four children, Howard Wayne Dixon, Suzanne Dixon Balettie, Debra Dee Fite, and Michael David Dixon. Their eleven grandchildren and an ever-growing number of great- and great-great-grandchildren are the continuing legacy of Howard and Bessie's life and love together. CMSgt Dixon served in World War II and the Korean War as a Flight Engineer on the B-29 Superfortress, stationed on Tinian Island in the Pacific Theater. He flew numerous combat missions over Japan and Korea during each of those conflicts. He served in the Vietnam War as well, flying in a KC-97 Stratofreighter, providing critical refueling capabilities. The pinnacle of his career was being selected as Chief Engineer of the 3908th SSG - Strategic Standardization Group (later 1st CEG - Combat Evaluation Group), commanded by Strategic Air Command's General Curtis LeMay. After retiring from the USAF, Howard and Bessie moved to Austin in the late 1960s, opening a children's clothing store named Mr. D's Shoppe for Tot-n-Teen. They retired from that business some years later, settling down to enjoy their life together. We rejoice in the fact that Howard and Bessie are together again, celebrating their love for all eternity, and we look forward to the day that we will be with them again in Heaven. The Funeral Service honoring CMSgt Dixon will be held at 3:30 P.M. on Wednesday, October 26, 2016 in the Chapel of Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home, with Interment and Full Military Honors immediately following at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Memorial Park. The family would welcome your presence, but in lieu of flowers, please donate to a Veteran's in Howard's name to honor his service and sacrifice to the country that he loved so much. Condolences may be left at www.cookwaldenforestoaks.com.