Alex Richard Dix, 66, of Irwin County, Georgia, passed on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Emory University Hospital, in Atlanta, Georgia.
Funeral services will be held 11 AM, Thursday, May 22, 2025, at Ocilla Methodist Church, in Ocilla, Georgia, with the Rev. Jay Roberson officiating. Eulogies will be delivered by Raye Dix Harper and Alan Rowe. Interment will follow in the Ocilla Cemetery, in Ocilla, Georgia. The family will receive friends Wednesday evening, from 6 PM until 8 PM, at the funeral home in Ocilla.
Alex was born January 12, 1959, in Irwin County, Georgia, to the late Robert H. Dix, Sr. & Vida Elizabeth Hudson Dix. Alex was raised in Irwin County and spoke often of memories growing up in a neighborhood where childhood friends became lifelong friends. He also had many cousins that he was raised with. He graduated from Irwin County High School in 1977, where he played football and baseball for the Irwin County Indians. He played on State Championship teams for baseball in Spring 1975 and in football in Fall 1975. He proudly wore the #73 jersey, which his grandson, Layton Ball, now wears for the Indians football team. His football “brothers” have remained life-long friends. Alex attended Livingston University in Livingston, Alabama, where he played football for the Livingston Tigers. He also attended Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, in Tifton, Georgia.
Alex began his career in farming, first in row crops and then pecans. He left farming for several years to do sandblasting and painting, as well as to co-own and operate Cargo South Trailers, in Ocilla, Georgia. In 2008, the farming bug bit and he began pecan farming again. Alex was the owner/operator of Dix Pecan Farms. He enjoyed fishing, spending time with his family, but especially his grandchildren. Being their “Papa” made him so proud. Alex was a member of the Ocilla Masonic Lodge #134 and a long-time member of Ocilla Methodist Church, where he was Chairman of the Methodist Men, served as Trustee, Admin Council member, and former Chairman of the PPR Committee.
He is survived by his wife, Michelle Dix of Ocilla; step-children: Amanda Powell & Nick of Anderson City, Georgia, Alan Rowe & Lacie of Valdosta and Adam Rowe & Kayla of Fitzgerald; grandchildren: Layton Ball, Colt Powell, Brice Rowe, Cade Powell, Lauren Ritch, and Cooper Rowe; brothers: Eddie McKinley Dix & Karen of Ocilla and Robert H. “Robbie” Dix & Indira of Ocilla; nieces and nephews: Cory Dix & Payton, Daniel Dix & Cambria, Raye Dix Harper & Charlie, Tyler Dix & Casey and Kate Dix; his mother-in-law, Patricia Register of Fitzgerald; and God-daughters: Savanna Davis and Alex Davis, daughters of Jamie & Tracy Davis of Blakely, Georgia. Several great-nieces and great-nephews also survive. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Ed Alex “Beau” Dix; fathers-in-law: Wendell Patton and David W. Register.
The family suggests those desiring to send memorials may send them to the Ocilla Methodist Church, P.O. Box 61, Ocilla, GA 31774.
Paulk Funeral Home, Ocilla, is in charge of arrangements.