Sam “Coach” Dixon was born in Norton, Wise County, Virginia June 25, 1925. Sam passed away June 14, 2015, at his home with his friends at family at his side. Sam was born to Frank Dixon and Lily Byrd, and was one of six children including three girls and three boys. One brother, Frank Dixon, is the only living sibling, and resides near San Diego, California. Sam is survived by his wife of 32 loving years, Evelyn “Evie” Yeakle Dixon. Sam loved people, and was known for his soft-spoken, kind demeanor.
Sam was an exceptional athlete all his life, and when not in school or working, he was shooting hoops at the neighborhood basketball court. He became the star of his high school basketball and football teams. Sam was drafted into the United States Army Sept. 29, 1943 and inducted on Oct. 20, 1943. He was assigned to the First Infantry Division of the U.S. Army for the assault on Normandy, France. His outfit was the 26th Infantry Regiment, 2nd battalion, Company G which stormed Normandy Beach June 6, 1944 (“D-Day”). He landed on Omaha Beach in the third wave. He was wounded twice during the war. Each time, he was going to the aid of soldiers that were wounded and could not get shelter. The first time was July 28, 1944, in Savigny, France. He was wounded in the leg by enemy machine gun fire. He was awarded the Purple Heart and a Bronze Star for Valor. He was hospitalized for four months in England. He returned to duty just prior to the Battle of the Bulge, and his unit was almost completely wiped out. He was wounded a second time Feb. 26, 1945, as his unit crossed the Rohr River in Germany. During that battle, two critically wounded soldiers called out for help. Sam ran out to help them and carried one on his back and one under his arm to shelter at a farmhouse. He took the soldiers to the basement and went back upstairs to tell his commanding officer about the men when we was wounded a second time in the neck and throat. He was awarded a second Purple Heart and a second Bronze Star. Sam was discharged Sept. 27 1945, and the VA declared him 50% disabled due to his throat injury. Two days later, he played in his high school’s football game as quarterback Sept. 29 in Norton, Virginia.
During WWII, Sam participated in the following campaigns: Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, and the Rhineland, and he was an ammunition handler for a 60mm mortar. His medals include four (4) bronze stars for each of the campaigns he participated in, a combat infantry badge, two (2) purple hearts, a bronze star medal, a bronze service arrowhead, and a good conduct medal. After the war, he received a college degree thanks to the GI-Bill and received a B.A. from Emory and Henry College in 1950 and a M.A. from Eastern Tennessee State. He was inducted in the sports Hall of Fame at Emory and Henry College for basketball. He taught and coached in seven high schools in Maryland, Virginia, and Delaware for over 35 years. After his retirement in 1984 from public schools, he trained to become a tennis-teaching pro. He was a head pro at several locations in West Virginia and Maryland, and taught private lessons and clinics on a tennis court he built himself on his 14-acre property in Washington County, Maryland.
After retirement, he started to engage in sanctioned USTA tennis tournaments across the country. He enjoyed playing singles and doubles. He was ranked as high as #12 in the nation in 1992, and continued to play tennis competitively up until a few years ago. It was his passion. He taught tennis clinics at Terra Vista Tennis Center, and enjoyed coaching individual players to improve their skills. He continued to coach from the sidelines even when he was not able to play.
Sam visited France and Belgium three times later in life to revisit the places he marched in the war. He was appointed Chevalier (Knight) of the Legion of Honor, France’s highest military distinction for civilians. It is a sign of France’s infinite gratitude and appreciation for contribution to France in WWII.
Coach is survived by three sons, Phillip Dixon, Samuel Dixon Jr. and wife Jenny, and James Dixon. He also has a step-daughter, Marcie Kapsch. He has three grandchildren, Dwight Dixon, Trey Kapsch, and Bayla Kapsch.
A memorial service will be held at the West Citrus Elk’s Lodge on Grover Cleveland Avenue, Homosassa, Florida. Service will be Wed. June 24, 11:00 AM. Food will be provided following the service. A burial will take place in Arlington National Cemetery in a few months, date to be determined. Chas. E. Davis Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
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