Edwin Wayne Dixson

A HEART AS BIG AS TEXAS!

Life began and nearly ended in Pasadena, Texas, where Wayne survived a surgical procedure that required open heart massage. It was so rare that it made local news. Wayne believed that God spared his life for some special purpose and he honored that by being of service to his faith, his family and his career as a firefighter.

During his career in the oil business Wayne became a volunteer firefighter when he responded to a flyer that came to his home that read “What if your house caught on fire and nobody came?” It made him think about his purpose and changed his life. He served as Assistant Fire Marshal for Harris County, Texas, and Captain of his volunteer fire department. A move to Fairfax County, Virginia, presented him with an opportunity to become a professional Firefighter at the age of 40 in a competition against many other younger applicants. His professional training at Texas A&M, experience, work ethic and charming personality were above and beyond all others. He was hired and graduated at the top of his class. Wayne attained his professional goal of Inspector and as an Arson Investigator helped solve a cold case murder. He retired to Winder, Georgia, to be near family and joined Gwinnett County Fire Service where he served as Captain, and Assistant Fire Marshal. He later served as Safety Officer for the City of Duluth, Georgia. After retirement Wayne’s investigative skills were used once again to research his family tree and he discovered an ancestor who served in the Revolutionary War. He became a member of Sons of the American Revolution and was involved in the early efforts to establish a new chapter in Georgia.

As important as fire service was to Wayne, it never compared to his love and care of family. Whatever they needed, he was always there. He left us with a treasure chest of crazy, fun and tender memories. He was passionate about Coca Cola, James Coney Island hotdogs, Pappadeaux’s entire menu and Whataburgers. He loved his backyard forest, the dogs, his out building Outer Space, the tire swing, sharing his John Deere and cooking Jambalaya. You could often hear a George Strait tune wherever he went.

Wayne is preceded in death by his mother Alma Virginia Rains, son David Wayne Dixson, brother and sister-in law Terry Reed and Shirley Neeley Reed.

He is survived by his loving wife Sandra Tompkins Dixson, daughters Wendy Keith and spouse Marty, daughter April James, their mother Lynda Spriggs and spouse Larry. Grandchildren Ashley Keith Akins and spouse Chase, Christopher Wayne Keith, Joshua James, Kaitlyn James and Zackery James. Great-grand children Ella Mae Akins and Oliver Bruce Wayne Keith, and brother T Dean Reed. Other survivors include Terry Tompkins Haynes, Christopher Tompkins, Kyle Clement, Gavin Tompkins and Vonnie Small Price.

As a devout Christian, Wayne left us the biggest gift of his lifetime in that we know where he is, who he is with, and can take comfort that one day we will be reunited in God’s love.