By Tracy Gupton

Robert Dixon would have celebrated his 77th birthday last month. The former longtime West Columbia city councilman passed away at the age of 62 September 29, 2009, at Cornerstone Hospital in Houston surrounded by his loving family. But what a unique legacy he left, his achievements and accomplishments so abundant.

Robert Raye Dixon grew up in West Columbia and graduated with the Charlie Brown High School Class of 1965, the final group of seniors at the former high school for Black students prior to racial integration the following year. He was born January 19, 1947, and was a prime example of what someone can achieve in life through hard work and dedication.

The Robert R. Dixon Memorial Unity Park behind the H.E.B. grocery store in West Columbia serves as a gathering place for the youth of the city where playground facilities and a basketball court exist, provided through donations of local businesses and community leaders who harbor fond memories and much respect for the late civic leader.

Dixon was not only the first Black city councilman and mayor of West Columbia, but also was the first Black mayor in Brazoria County. He served on City Council from 1976 to 1990 and was elected West Columbia’s mayor in 1990. In 1991 Dixon was named “Citizen of the Year” by Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and, on April 25, 1991, Texas Governor Ann Richards appointed West Columbia’s mayor to serve on the Texas Funeral Services Commission. He would later become chairman of that board of directors.

He had worked for several different funeral homes learning his trade, working countless hours with little or no pay as he sought to attain the dream of owning his own funeral home. It took a dozen years of saving his money and working at other funeral homes before the first shovel of dirt was turned on the construction of Dixon Funeral Home in Brazoria, which is located at 1211 South Brooks Street.

Prior to becoming a successful funeral home director and getting involved in local politics, Robert Dixon divided his time between working for National Life and Accident Insurance Company and improving his mortuary skills. While working as an insurance agent, he received top awards for being among the best in his field.

Following graduation from Charlie Brown High School in West Columbia in 1965, Robert attended Wharton County Junior College and graduated Cum Laude from Prairie View A&M University. He secured a degree in Automotive Technology from Prairie View in 1969.

Robert and his wife Audrey Dixon opened their Brazoria funeral home April 1, 1983, and 23 years later branched out by opening a second Dixon Funeral Home in Angleton on August 26, 2006. The previous year Robert Dixon was honored with the Drum Major Award at the January 18, 2005, Martin Luther King Jr. Day festivities in Freeport, an early birthday present awarded the former West Columbia mayor the day before his 58th birthday.

During his tenure as a West Columbia councilman and mayor, the current city hall, civic center and library were constructed and the land purchased for First Capitol Park. He also helped bring in H.E.B. Pantry Foods, Walmart and Eckerd Drugs (now CVS).

Dixon was active with the Brazoria Masonic Lodge 104 and the Knights of Pythias Lodge 388 before his health began to fail him. Robert also took pride in being president of the Brazoria County Cities Association, trustee and steward of St. Paul AME Church near West Columbia, and a member of both the Texas Funeral Directors and Morticians Association and the Coastal Funeral Directors and Morticians Association.

But everyone who knew him would agree that Robert Dixon was most proud of his beautiful family. His loving wife, Audrey Dixon, and daughters Tina Dixon and Aretha Renae Dixon Abioye were the light of his life.

“He truly believed that you make a stand for what you believe in,” his family stated in Robert’s newspaper obituary following his death in 2009. “He was in the political arena for many years fighting for justice. Before his health failed he pursued a life of caring and dedicated service in the community and for leadership in blazing new trails as a politician, businessman and consultant.”

Robert and Audrey were married 41 years. At his passing, Robert was also survived by his mother-in-law, Maxine Davis of West Columbia; son-in-law Awofe Abioye; brothers-in-law, Charles Johnson and wife Carolyn and Don Bates, both of Freeport, and Myron Campbell of Houston; and sisters-in-law, Mary Louise Dickson of Brazoria, Thelma Earls of Freeport, and Abbie Faye McDowell of Wichita Falls, Texas.

Following his funeral at Brazoria First Assembly of God church October 2, 2009, Robert Raye Dixon, the first and only Black mayor of West Columbia, Texas, was laid to rest at Thomas Dumas Cemetery in East Columbia. May he continue to rest in peace. He will never be forgotten!