Johnny Lee Dixon

Johnny Lee Dixon was born in Putnam County, Missouri on February 27, 1933, to Dain D. and Reva L. (Todd) Dixon. He entered the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict on April 28, 1953, and took his basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. He then served his country at Fort Lewis, Washington, with the 554 ^th Float Bridge Engineer Company. Johnny was honorably discharged on April 27, 1955, with the rank of Corporal.

Johnny attended grade school in Unionville then moved to the Brown School District northwest of Unionville to complete grade school, then attended high school with the class of 1951. He worked in a factory and in construction in Wyoming but came back to the farm in northern Putnam County in 1955 to raise crops and cattle with his parents.

On June 8, 1958, Johnny married Norma June Webber and they began their lives together and raised a family at their farm on Route U. While Norma was employed by the USDA for 39 years, Johnny was chosen as a member of the “Federal Land Bank” Board in the early 1970’s. The family was selected as “Farm Family of the Year” and Johnny was also elected as a County Commissioner in Putnam County for multiple terms following in the footsteps of his Grandpa Lee Todd. Johnny was a dedicated member of the American Legion Post 34. He accepted the Lord, was baptized and an active member of the Unionville First Christian Church.

Johnny departed this life on February 8, 2022, due to natural causes, at the age of 88, while on the farm, tending his cattle. His blue eyes, bigger-than-life smile, friendly demeanor, integrity, athleticism, support of the Putnam County Midgets/his girls’ athletic teams, and ability to endure hardships were only a few of his endearing qualities.  He was a master farmer who loved the land, animals, his family, friends, and acquaintances…oh, and John Deere tractors.

Johnny is survived by his wife Norma and their two daughters, Julinda Lea Dixon and Jonette Lynn Dixon, of Erie, Colorado, who are teachers, as well as many friends and relatives.

He was preceded in death by his infant brother, Darrell Dean Dixon, his parents, Dain and Reva, and Norma’s parents, Glen and Glendolya Webber.

Funeral services for Johnny Dixon will be at Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home at 10:00 am on Saturday, February 12, 2022.  Visitation will be from 5:00 – 7:00 pm on Friday, February 11.  Interment will be at the Unionville Cemetery.

Memorials may be made payable to either Putnam County Historical Society or Unionville Cemetery and entrusted with Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27 ^th St., Unionville, MO  63565