In memory of Michael Ray Dixon

Pay it forward.

The Dixon Family Foundation carries on the kindness of Mike Dixon by meeting real needs in our community, one neighbor at a time.

See what we do Get involved

Mike Dixon in a red shirt, holding his infant son Shane on his lap outdoors — Mike and Shane, 1982

Our story

Michael Ray Dixon

May 24, 1956 · December 29, 2016

Mike was a kind, compassionate man who cared for people, loved his family, and was an outstanding father. He believed that when someone helps you, the right response is to go help someone else.

Born in Peoria, he spent his career as a welder at Caterpillar, retiring in 2011, and was a member of Frank N. Nicol Lodge 1170 A.F. & A.M. and the Mohammed Shriners of Peoria.

He loved riding his motorcycle, John Wayne movies, Wild Bill Hickok history, rooting for his beloved Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears, and, believe it or not, cleaning around the house. Most of all, he loved time with family and friends.

This foundation exists so that his way of living keeps working. It is funded by the gift he left behind and run by the family he raised, with one goal: to keep paying it forward in his name.

“I hope you’re happy.”

In his own hand

Love you, son. Your Dad.

In the fall of 2000, while Shane was at Marine Corps boot camp, Dad wrote him letter after letter. He signed them with love and usually slipped a joke into the P.S.

“P.S. Don’t forget to wash behind your ears.”

Handwritten sign-off from Mike's letter: Love You Son, Your Dad, and Kick that Can — From a letter dated August 26, 2000

Mike in a red shirt holding baby Shane — 1982

Mike in a white jacket standing with young Shane in front of the house — Mid-1980s

Mike smiling in blue pajamas on the kitchen floor beside toddler Shane — Pajama morning, mid-1980s

Mike in a Chicago Bears sweatshirt kneeling beside young Shane — Bears fan, always

Mike and teenage Shane in leather jackets — The 1990s

Mike standing beside Shane in his Marine Corps uniform — Proud father of a Marine

Mike standing beside Shane in Marine Corps dress blues — In dress blues

Mike in a Chicago Cubs jersey with Shane at Wrigley Field — Cubs game at Wrigley Field, Father's Day 2007

Mike riding his motorcycle on an open highway — On the open road

Mike, gray-haired and smiling, hugging a friend — Later years

Mike at Christmas with two women of the family in front of the tree — Christmas with family

Mike on a couch with family members — On the couch with family

Studio portrait of Mike with a blonde woman holding a baby — Family portrait

Portrait of Mike with a blonde woman holding a baby in front of bookshelves — Family portrait

Wedding party at the altar with Mike in a white tuxedo — A family wedding

Mike in a black tuxedo beside his daughter in her wedding dress — With his daughter on her wedding day

Mike sitting on his Harley-Davidson motorcycle — On his Harley

Mike smiling in a white shirt beside a dark-haired woman — All smiles

Mike with family members and a toddler — Family gathering

Mike with family members, kids and an older woman — Family gathering

Mike beside an older woman holding a baby — With family

A large family gathering on a white couch with Mike — The whole family

Mike on a blue couch with two family members — On the couch with family

Mike on the porch with an older woman and a child — On the porch with family

Mike in his later years with a friend — Later years

Portrait of Mike with Shane in Marine Corps dress blues — Dress blues portrait

Mike with his 2001 Harley-Davidson at Walters Brothers Harley-Davidson — His new Harley, October 2000

Mike on a couch with a young boy — On the couch

Mike with his arm around a young man, family close by — Arm in arm with family

Mike in a Deadwood T-shirt on the porch with family — Deadwood shirt and family

Mike relaxing on the porch beside an older woman — Taking it easy on the porch

Mike at a backyard picnic table with family — A backyard cookout

Mike leaning in beside a gray-haired friend — Good times with a friend

Mike crouched on the lawn by a motorcycle with kids — With the kids and the bike

Embroidered patch reading In Memory of Mike Dixon, 5/24/56 to 12/29/16 — The patch from his memorial ride

Carried on by his family

Shane, Tyler, and Carter

We started this foundation to keep Dad's example alive, for our son and for our neighbors. Every coat, every pair of shoes, and every helping hand is one more way of thanking the man who taught us to pay it forward.

Our mission

Rooted in faith. Focused on our neighbors.

Following the example of Christ, we care for the people who are struggling: the poor, the homeless, the stranger, and the child who goes without. We start close to home, and we start with what people actually need.

“Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

Matthew 25:40

What we do

Starting with the kids down the street

Our first program

Coats and Shoes for Kids

Every student deserves to walk into school warm and dry. We provide new coats and shoes to kids in the Canton school district whose families can't afford them, quietly and with dignity.

Coming next

Clearing Medical Debt

We are partnering with Undue Medical Debt and First Christian Church of Canton to raise money that wipes out medical debt for people in our region facing hardship. Every dollar raised buys and forgives debt, so families get a fresh start with no strings attached.

Get involved

Know someone who could use a hand?

Tell us about a student, a family, or a neighbor in need, or let us know how you'd like to help. Every referral is handled privately and with respect.

Prefer email? Reach us at hello@thedixonfamily.org