BENTON — Jerry Wayne Dixon,
age 71, of Benton, Ark., passed away at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Manila, Philippines, on March 2, 2024. He was born on July 22, 1952, to Donald Samuel Dixon, DDS, and Mary Evelyn Dixon.
Jerry is preceded in death by his father, Donald Samuel Dixon; and his grandparents, George and Nelly Dixon, Harry Hildred, and Pearl Carson Hudman.
He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Janet; his son, Jeremy (Carly) Dixon; his son, Jonathan (Laura Beth) Dixon; his daughter, Joanna Dixon; his beloved grandchildren, Judah, Day, and Fielder Dixon; his mother, Mary Evelyn Dixon; his sisters, Donna (Leon) Cornett, Elaine (Steve) Rasburry, Norma Ruth “Toogie” Walker; his many nieces and nephews; his patients; his beloved golf buddies; and his church family.
Jerry was a 1970 graduate of Benton High School and recently an Athletic Hall of Fame recipient in 2017. He was a 1974 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point with a Bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical Engineering, where he was a member of Company E-1. He earned his MD from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in 1987. His residency in general surgery was completed at Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, in 1992.
His accomplishments include 20 years of military service, during which he earned his Wings from the 101st Airborne, Ranger Tab from the Army Rangers, and the Coveted Green Beret from the Army Special Forces. He served as the Captain of a Special Forces A Team in the 10th Special Forces Group at Fort Devens, Mass. During his service, he also served as a General Surgeon at Ft. Jackson in South Carolina, Soto Cano Air Base in Honduras, and Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. Jerry retired from the Army in 1994 as a Lieutenant Colonel.
After his military service, he and his family moved to Conway, Ark., where he practiced at Conway Regional Hospital. In 1998, Jerry returned to his hometown of Benton, Ark., to build his general surgery practice. He is most well-known for his habit of praying with his patients prior to surgery.
Jerry was a faithful member of First Baptist Church Benton, where he served as a deacon. He also had a strong passion for mission work. Jerry was a Gideon and went on numerous medical mission trips to Honduras, Ghana, Haiti, Romania, Tanzania, and the Philippines.
Visitation will be on Friday, March 22, 2024, at 1 p.m. at First Baptist Church Benton. A memorial service will follow at 2 p.m. in the Worship Center at First Baptist Church Benton.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Dr. Jerry Dixon Memorial Fund on gofundme.com, at any First Security Bank branch, or by mail to First Security Bank P.O. Box 687, Benton, Ark. 72018-0687. This fund will be used to start a foundation towards medical missions, pregnancy centers, and other charities meaningful to Jerry.