James "Jim" A. Dixon, 78, of Rock Island, passed away Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at Bickford Memory Care, Davenport. Jim was born September 8, 1944, in Rock Island, to Leon and Martha (Hancq) Dixon.

He graduated from Rock Island High School in 1962. He then enlisted in the Navy, serving as a radio operator on the USS Essex aircraft carrier. Upon leaving the Navy he went to work for the Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District where he met his wife, Sandra Larrison. They married May 13, 1967, at Colona Methodist Church.

In his early years he enjoyed playing baseball and bowling on several leagues. He loved fishing, and for many years he and his wife celebrated their wedding anniversary traveling to Table Rock Lake in Missouri to bass fish. Later in life he took up golfing. In August 2005, in a period of two weeks, he achieved every golfer's dream of scoring two holes-in-one in league play at two separate golf courses.

In 1999, Jim retired from the Corps of Engineers, Lock and Dam No. 15, as Assistant Lockmaster. In retirement, he and his wife traveled, and in winter spent many fun weeks at a Gulf resort located in Treasure Island, Florida.

Jim is survived by his wife, Sandra; two daughters, Sherri Dixon at home, and Pamela (Brian) Becker, Sherrard, Illinois; and two grandchildren, Emily Becker (David Ovies), Orlando, Florida, and James Becker, Bettendorf, Iowa.

Jim is predeceased by his parents; brother, Donald Dixon and sister, Jeannette (Dixon) Brems and her husband, Richard "Dick" Brems.

Cremation has taken place and a graveside service with military honors will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, June 23, 2023, at Rock Island National Cemetery, Arsenal Island. Family and friends who would like to attend the graveside service are asked to meet at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, 3030 7th Avenue, Rock Island at 10:30 a.m. A luncheon will immediately follow the graveside service at CityView Celebrations, 701 12th St., Moline.

Memorials may be made to New Kingdom Trailriders, 18929 81st Street, Sherrard, Illinois, 61281.

Online condolences: www.wheelanpressly.com.