Ernest Richard Dix

Ernest Richard Dix peacefully passed away on Sunday, February 11, 2018 in Lakeland at the age of 85.  He was born in Eloise, Florida on January 21,1933 to Jerry Lee Dix and Johnny Mae Craft Dix. He graduated from Winter Haven High School and proudly served in the USAF during the Korean and Vietnam Wars, supervising aircraft maintenance teams and serving in Germany, Japan, and Thailand. After retiring from the USAF, he was a mail carrier for 21 years in Winter Haven. Then he focused on caring for his dear wife Akiko, enjoying his nine grandkids, fishing, gardening, woodworking, reading Louis L’amour, whistling, and happily losing many games of pinochle to Akiko. He was known for his gentle spirit, sense of humor and smile, present even during his final days of his battle with Alzheimer’s.

He was preceded in death by his wife Akiko Nakano Dix; son Gary Dix; and two brothers, William Dix and Jerry Dix. He is survived  by his daughters, Sandra Hodges of Lakeland and Patricia Poremba of San Luis Obispo; son James Dix of Portland; nine grandchildren; two great grandchildren; five sisters, Ellen Moran, Louise Taylor, Jeanette Glass, Willow Dean Moses, and Linda Gail Westberg; one brother, Clarence Dix and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held from 11 am to 12 pm on Wednesday, February 21 at Lakeland Funeral Home. The funeral service with military honors will  follow at 12 pm on Wednesday, February 21 at Lakeland Funeral Home. 

The family would like to thank Compassionate Care Hospice and Hawthorne Inn of Lakeland for their exceptional and loving care of our father. 

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