Larry Clarence Dixon, 82, of 2141 Jack Wilson Road, Shelby passed away on Tuesday, June 14th, at Atrium Health Cleveland.

Born June 5, 1940, Larry was the son of Avery Clarence Dixon and Thelma Spurling Dixon. Best known as PawPaw Larry, he was retired and was a member of Zion Baptist Church.

Larry graduated from Fallston High School where he was both a championship baseball and basketball player. As an American Legion third baseman, his team won the state championship in 1957. His sports career continued into college where he played basketball for Gardner Webb.

Larry service in the Military took him to Pasadena, CA. where he played volleyball for the Army. He was a graduate of both Fullerton College, CA and the National Fire Academy in Maryland. His employment experiences included Fire Prevention for the Anaheim Fire Department in California, Science Program Instructor for Rowan Technical Institute in Salisbury, Firefighter, Fire Marshal, and Assistant Fire Chief with the Shelby Fire Department He retired as Public Works Director for the City of Shelby. He was actively involved in a number of volunteer organization but his special interest was his service with the Council on Aging of Cleveland County.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother Kenneth Spurling Dixon, an infant sister, and a special sister-in-law Linda Self Hull.

He is survived by his wife of 38 years Brenda Self Dixon of the home. Survivors include five children. Debra Denning (Chris) of Shelby; David Dixon (Lisa) of Salisbury; Christopher Dixon of Anaheim, CA; Rebecca Mehl (Randy) of Cedarburg, WI, and Cheri Baier of LaMirada, CA; fifteen Grandchildren, Alex Wilson (Lacie), Lee Wilson, Jenna Wilson and Scout Denning all of Shelby; MacKenzie Davis (Seth) of Salisbury and Levi Dixon of Salisbury; Christina Dixon of Anaheim, CA; Amanda Mehl of Greensboro; Alyssa Mehl and Ashley Mehl of Cedarburg, WI; Melissa Baier (Daniel) of LaMirada, CA; Catherine Baier of Brea, CA, and Sophia Baier and Anna Baier of Anaheim, CA and three Great-Grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:00 pm on Sunday, June 19, 2022 in the sanctuary of Zion Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Neal Center (Council on Aging of Cleveland County), in Shelby, NC.

All CDC protocols regarding COVID are being followed if attending service.