Obituary of Dixon John Anderson

Dixon John Anderson was born on July 29, 1941 at his parents’ home on the farm near Cottonwood. The doctor had to fly out in his private plane to assist in the birth, perhaps a sign of his eventual career as a pilot. He played multiple sports throughout his childhood but favored baseball above the rest. He attended Cottonwood Public Schools and graduated in 1959. Dixon then went on to the University of Minnesota and graduated in 1964 with a degree in Psychology and minors in Math, History and Naval Science. During his time in school, he was also in the Navy ROTC program. Dixon spent multiple summers aboard various ships while in training and eventually went to Pensacola, Florida for Naval Flight Training. After flight training, he reported to a helicopter squadron in Imperial Beach, California in 1965. He received his Wings of Gold in November 1965. While in the Navy, Dixon served two tours in Vietnam during the height of the Vietnam War. Both of his tours were aboard the aircraft carrier USS Oriskany where he flew H-2 helicopters. It was his mission to rescue downed pilots and others from the sea. In the midst of a typhoon in the South China Sea, Dixon was sent out to rescue sailors from the deck of the SS August Moon which had run aground. During the operation, one of the other rescue helicopters was swallowed up by the gigantic rolling waves. Along with the crew of the downed helicopter, all fifty crew members aboard the doomed ship were saved. He received the Navy Commendation Medal for the courageous rescue of those sailors. While there were times of glory in the Navy, there were also times of tragedy. While aboard the USS Oriskany in the fall of 1966, a disastrous fire erupted which killed 44 sailors including 5 of the 8 pilots in his helicopter crew; he was the only helicopter pilot aboard the ship at the time to survive. While Dixon never forgot the horror of that day, he still said “the good times outweighed the bad”. Following a successful career, he was honorably discharged in December of 1969. After the Navy, Dixon had his eyes set on becoming an airline pilot – a suitable career for an ex-Navy pilot no doubt. In 1970 he was hired by North Central Airlines which later became Republic and was eventually bought by Northwest. Dixon started out on the Convair 580 but quickly moved up to the DC-9 and MD-80. He became Captain in 1980 and retired from Northwest Airlines in November of 1996. As he set the parking break after his last flight, he remembers reflecting back on his successful career and realizing it couldn’t have gone any better. With his family anxiously awaiting his arrival at the end of the jetway, Dixon “left the airplane and didn’t look back”. On September 24, 1989, Dixon gave up 48 years of bachelorhood and married Debbie Erickson at Fort Snelling Chapel; he always said it was the best thing he ever did. With this marriage came an instant family of four boys: Troy, Brandon, Siver and Justin – all of whom he loved as sons. On October 14, 1991, his son Cole Dixon Anderson was born. He was a wonderful dad and was able to spend lots of time with all the boys in retirement. Dixon and Debbie enjoyed many wonderful trips together. For 27 years they celebrated their anniversary at Blue Fin Bay on the North Shore. Lunch by “The Tree” of wine, French bread, cheese and sausage was a special part of their celebration. He also enjoyed many trips with the boys over the years, creating many great memories. Dixon was an avid reader and thoroughly enjoyed doing the crossword and sudoku puzzle every morning. While typically taking a backseat to the various competitions within the family, he was never defeated in a word game of any kind. Dixon also enjoyed watching sports, listening to talk radio and playing golf. He and Debbie’s goal was to play a golf course in every county of Minnesota; they completed 70 out of the 87 counties. Dixon was 75 years of age, when he passed away on Sunday, April 23rd with his loved ones by his side. He was genuine, reassuring and open-minded. Dixon was an amazing husband, father, step-father, grandfather and friend; he was the rock of the family and will be missed dearly. Dixon will be buried next to Hunter, his constant four-legged companion of 13 years. He is preceded in death by his parents Torgny and Bertha Anderson, infant brother Donald and sister-in-law Chris Anderson. He is survived by his loving wife of 27 years, Debbie, son Cole of Denver, CO, stepsons Troy (Cathy) Erickson of Grand Rapids, MN, Brandon (Kristy) Erickson of Duluth, MN, Siver (Vanessa) Erickson of Cottonwood, MN, Justin (Kari) Erickson of Ramsey, MN, 10 grandchildren Bailey and Arianna, Daniel, Hayley and Christopher, Jayda, Carson, Cale and Cadence, and Emily, brothers Tom Anderson of Wassila, AK and Harry (Sherry) Anderson of Littleton, CO, sisters Beverly (Bob) Poynter of Lafayette, IN, Judy (Bill) Murphy of Blufton, SC, Doris (Joe) Cool of Marshall, MN and Dottie (Dave) Simmons of Phoenix, AZ as well as many nieces and nephews. The Memorial Service will be May 15th at 11:00 AM at St John Lutheran Church in Zimmerman, MN. Visitation will be 1 hour prior the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred. TO FLY WEST, MY FRIEND, IS THE FINAL CHECK WE ALL MUST TAKE