A Celebration of the Life of THOMAS W. DIXON - Landon School

We gather to celebrate the life of our beloved colleague and friend
Thomas W. Dixon, who played many roles in his six decades at
Landon school and left us on september 9, 2012, just days after he
cheered the Bears on to victory at the opening football game.
Born november 7, 1924, in Charlotte, north Carolina, Tom Dixon was
the oldest son of the late Willard P. Dixon and Jean E. mcGinn. During
World War ii, he left his studies at the University of north Carolina to
serve on the front lines in Europe with the U.s. army. he obtained a
law degree from George Washington University and passed the D.C.
bar exam in 1949. intent on teaching, he pursued a bachelor’s degree
in English at night through GW and graduated in 1953.
That same year, Tom was hired by Landon’s founder and headmaster,
Paul Landon Banfield, to teach swimming at summer camp. He stayed
on to teach English for almost six decades and often taught the sons
of his former students. in addition to his 56 years in the classroom,
Tom spent 42 years as a counselor at Boys’ Day Camp. he headed the
Boarding Department, beginning in 1956 and continuing until Landon
closed the dormitory in 1972. While he retired from full-time teaching
in 1991, he continued to offer his shakespeare senior elective through
2009 and remained a presence on the Landon campus, auditing classes
and serving as the school’s historian through the 2011-12 school year.
he was named an honorary alumnus on the occasion of his retirement.
he was further honored with the Thomas W. Dixon Chair in English.
The school’s swimming pool and former dorm also bear his name.
in 2004, he celebrated his 80th birthday with a book party for
“Courage, Commitment and Change,” his 500-page personal history of
Landon, timed for the school’s 75th anniversary.
in addition to shakespeare and the theater, Tom enjoyed music as
varied as mozart, Ella Fitzgerald and southern gospel music, all of
which are represented in our celebration of his life here today.
Landon wishes to thank all those who made a gift in Mr. Dixon’s memory to
the Landon School Faculty Housing Fund. If you would like to participate,
contact Lowell Davis at 301-320-1006 or Lowell_Davis@landon.net.
A Celebration of the Life of
THOMAS W. DIXON
“We, the class of 1965, dedicate the Brown and White to
Thomas W. Dixon, whose devotion to us and to the school is
exemplary in every respect. He has always been a ready source of
counsel and encouragement. His excellent methods of teaching, his
friendly wit, and his sincere interest in the Dormitory have all evoked
the greatest amount of admiration from students and masters alike.
All of us who know him will never forget his warmth of personality,
and we will count ourselves fortunate to have had him as a master.”
– 1965 Brown and White Dedication
October 20, 2012
LANDON SCHOOL

PRELUDE
Landon Strings, directed by Dr. Paul Scimonelli
WELCOME
David Armstrong – Headmaster
READING from “THE TEMPEST”
Matt Dougherty – Thomas W. Dixon Chair in English
PAPAGENO’S SONG from “THE MAGIC FLUTE”
W. A. Mozart – Chamber Singers, directed by Thaddeus Cavuoti
REMEMBRANCES
Dick Walker ’H – Former Director of Development & Teacher
Rob Bordley ’66 – Faculty
EINE KLEINE NACHTMUSIK, First Movement
W. A. Mozart – Landon Strings, directed by Dr. Paul Scimonelli
REMEMBRANCES
50th Reunion Class – Frank Nuessle ’62
Bill Prindle ’65*
BELL SCENE from “THE MAGIC FLUTE”
W. A. Mozart – Chamber Singers, directed by Thaddeus Cavuoti
*A copy of Bill Prindle’s Reminiscence of Tom Dixon
(Ten things I want to share about Tom) is available online at:
www.landon.net/Dixon-Prindle.
A Celebration of the Life of
THOMAS W. DIXON
November 7, 1924 - September 9, 2012
REMEMBRANCES
Teddy Sears ’95
Connor Reilly ’07
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Lowell Davis – Special Assistant for External Relations
FAMILY REMEMBRANCE/FLAG CEREMONY
Maj. Gen. Thomas Dixon Robinson – U.S. Army ret.
“THERE IS A BALM IN GILEAD”
Spiritual arr. William Dawson – sung by Nancy Dougherty
PRAYER
Rev. Stephan Klingelhofer ’60 – Trustee
LANDON FOREVER
A cappella – Chamber Singers, directed by Thaddeus Cavuoti
Forte – All
Landon Forever
Landon forever, her fame can never die.
We’ll fight for the Brown and White;
We’ll raise them to the sky.
Each loyal son pledges her his heart and hand.
Landon united, we as brothers stand.
Landon united, we as brothers stand.
POSTLUDE
Landon Strings, directed by Dr. Paul Scimonelli
RECEPTION – Lindner Dining Hall
Music of Ella Fitzgerald