TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON THE PASSING OF LEROY DIXON OF LEE COUNTY AND TO EXTEND THEIR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS LARGE AND LOVING FAMILY AND HIS MANY FRIENDS.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives were saddened to learn of the death of Leroy Dixon on Thursday, July 16, 2015; and

Whereas, a longtime resident of Lee County, Mr. Dixon was born on July 24, 1936, a son of the late John and Lucinda Dixon, one of their eleven children; and

Whereas, reared as a sharecropper, he earned a diploma in 1982 from Bishopville High School through studying with ICS Newport Pacific High School, and he received certification from East Coast Training as a technician in maintenance supervision; and

Whereas, a master plumber by profession, Mr. Dixon was known for his expert plumbing, electrical, carpentry, and heating and air-conditioning skills; and

Whereas, Mr. Dixon served as the Worthy Patron of Benjamin Chapter No. 346 Order of the Eastern Stars from 1958 to 2000, and the Worshipful Master of the Gum Spring Lodge No. 458 from 1958 to 1996; and

Whereas, he established the Order of the Knights of Pythagoras Council No. 71 and received the title of Sir Knight as a charter member, and he was a Shriner with the Crescent Temple No. 148 of the Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles Mystic Shrine (A.E.A.O.N.M.S.) of North and South America, serving as a noble; and

Whereas, a member of the Ashland Consistory No. 246, Mr. Dixon acquired the 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason, Southern Jurisdiction, as a sub-line prince and was a member of the South Carolina Grand Lodge of Prince Hall Masons, having served as a past master there; and

Whereas, together with his beloved wife of sixty years and childhood sweetheart, Dorothy L. Dixon, he reared five fine children: Vivian McCall, Laura Cain, Roy Dixon, Lerome Dixon, Sr., and the late Ralph Dixon. They have blessed their parents with thirteen adoring grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren; and

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives are grateful for the life and legacy of Leroy Dixon and for the example of devotion and caring he set for all who knew him. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, express their profound sorrow upon the passing of Leroy Dixon of Lee County and extend their deepest sympathy to his large and loving family and his many friends.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be provided to the family of Leroy Dixon.