Edward Glen "Ebby" Dixon

Big Sandy —Edward G. "Ebby" Dixon, 88 of Big Sandy passed away on Sunday, June 29, 2014, at the Big Sandy Medical Center of natural causes. Vigil service will be at 7:00pm on Sunday, July 6, 2014, at St. Margaret Mary's Catholic Church. Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, July 7, 2014, also at St. Margaret Mary's in Big Sandy. Burial will be in the Big Sandy Cemetery at a later date. Holland and Bonine is entrusted with the services and arrangements. Please visit Ebby's online memorial page and leave a message of condolence for his family at www.hollandbonine.com.

Ebby was born on June 7, 1926, in Kenilworth, Montana, to Clay and Annie (Lochnikar) Dixon. He was raised in Kenilworth, attending school first in Kenilworth then in Big Sandy. In 1945, he attempted to join the army but was not allowed due to a football injury. He returned to Big Sandy and married Barbara Hammond in 1946 at St. Margaret Mary's Catholic Church.

Ebby worked for several years as a plumber's apprentice for Courtnage and Sons Plumbing, and as a mechanic for Glen Brannigan at Highway Chevrolet for several years. He then tried his hand at truck driving, first for Budd Beaudette at Pratt and Svenn, and then for Roy Robertson at Conoco for many years until he retired in 1988.

To stay busy, Ebby took up woodworking, making many gifts for family and friends. He also started breeding and raising miniature horses, for which he built all the trappings, and enjoyed showing them off at the parades he entered them in. He enjoyed time in his yard, keeping it neat and tidy. Friends and family were very important to Ebby. He loved his coffee time with the guys and playing cards with his grandkids. He had a very sly sense of humor and loved to tease, especially his wife Barbara.

Ebby was preceded in death by his parents Clay and Annie (Lochnikar) Dixon; his infant daughter Mary Anne Dixon; his brothers, Charlie and Raymond Dixon; his sisters, Louise Smith, Lorraine Parchman, Rita Levy, and Helena Courtnage.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 68 years Barbara Dixon of Big Sandy; his sons Terry Dixon of Gardena, CA, and Dana Dixon of Centennial, CO; his daughter Amy (David) Madison of Shelby; his five grandchildren, Anna (Joe) Fretheim, Robyn, Michael, and Nathan Madison, and Cady Dixon; his great-grandchildren, Maggie, Hayley, Bradly, and Lucas Fretheim, and Malin Ryerson; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Published in Great Falls Tribune on Jul. 3, 2014.