James (Jim) Dixon
James (Jim) Dixon, 69, passed away Saturday, June 10th peacefully at home with his wife, Shelly by his side after a two-year journey with Esophageal Cancer.
Born on February 22, 1948 in La Jolla, CA, Jim grew up in Fallbrook, CA. He and his sister, Mary grew up without a TV listening to their father read after dinner.
Jim attended Humboldt State earning a degree in Civil Engineering. He met and married Rosalind Jackson of Miranda, CA. Married in 1970, Jim joined the City of Santa Rosa Engineering Department, and soon after Aaron and Ian were born. Jim then accepted a position as Associate City Engineer for Lompoc. He quickly moved to City Engineer then Director of Public Works. In 1984 Jim started his own business: JB Dixon Engineering and Surveying.
In 1991 Jim and Roz divorced and Jim continued his Engineering business in Lompoc. In 1994 Jim met Shelly Ellis, a single mother with two daughters, Joelle and Hayley. Jim proposed at YMCA family camp and they married in 1995. Jim’s love of nature took the two on many great adventures. Their favorite thing to do was to sip a good cup of coffee while watching a beautiful sunrise.
In 1998 Aaron and Ian started “Dixon Bros Racing”, with Jim as the Crew Chief. “Dixon Bros Racing” won multiple championships over 10 years.
Jim and Shelly loved the YMCA, attending Family Camp many years with the girls. In 1999 he was asked to join the Lompoc YMCA Board and then in 2008 he joined the Channel Island Association Board.
Jim was an accomplished craftsman and remodeled their Santa Barbara home on his own. He was a member of the Santa Barbara 4WD club. His yellow bronco was a site to be seen (and heard!).
Jim was a good man who will be missed by many.
Jim is survived by his wife, Shelly Dixon; his son Aaron and wife Marcy Dixon; his son Ian Dixon, and wife Beth Dixon; his grandchildren, Madison, Noah, Conner, Phoebe, Dagny and Beau Dixon; his step-daughter, Joelle Kantor; his step-daughter Hayley Laird and husband Philip Laird; his sister Mary Dixon; and his nephews Derek Acker and Dustin Acker. He is predeceased by his parents, Richard and Eveleen Dixon.
Jim’s memorial service will be Saturday, June 24 at 1pm at Unity Church 227 E Arrellaga St, Santa Barbara.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Lompoc Family YMCA’s Summer Camp program in Jim’s name. Donations can be made online at www.giveciymca.org (choose the Lompoc branch) or by sending a donation to the Lompoc Family YMCA, 201 W. College Ave, Lompoc 93436.