Dixie Raymond Denton

Dixie Raymond Denton, age 85, of Grants Pass, died Thursday, April 7, 2011 at his home.

A graveside service with military honors will be at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 1, 2012 at Eagle Point National Cemetery. Hull & Hull Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.

Dixie was born May 1, 1925 in El Monte, California to Luther & Carmen Denton. In March of 1943 he enlisted in the United States Navy. He served aboard the USS Hammerhead submarine in the South Pacific during World War II as a torpedo mate. He completed high school while serving in the military. On June 18, 1949 in San Fernando, California he married Mary Nell Bennett. Dixie worked as a business administrator for the American Baptist Convention in Southern California. In 1956 he received his Bachelor of Arts from The California Baptist Theological Seminary. In 1973 he moved from California to Grants Pass. In 1979 he received his Master of Arts degree in Psychology from California Western University. He also worked as a marriage and family counselor for Josephine County Probation and Parole Board.

His hobbies included target practice with black powder firearms and archery. He enjoyed oil painting, photography, his own dark room, gardening, and ranching. In his younger days he enjoyed driving and working on Midget race cars.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Nell Denton of Grants Pass, Oregon; three daughters, Donya Lowden of Grants Pass, Oregon, Francia Schwartz of Summit Valley, California, Leesa Jones of Corvallis, Oregon; and a son, Raymond Denton of Eugene, Oregon. He is also survived by 13 grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by great-grandson, Nathan Lowden in 2005.