Donald "Sank" Dixon, age 88, passed away on Friday, November 10, 1955 after suffering from a brief illness.
Sank was born on March 12, 1907 in Provo, Utah to Walter D. Dixon and Louise Maiben Dixon. He married Lettie Vilate Romney on October 17, 1930 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple.Sank attended school in Provo, where he quickly became known as a star athlete. He graduated from BYU in 1929, where he was awarded 12 letters in football, basketball, and tennis. He and his brother Fred "Buck" Dixon quickly became known as the phenomenal tennis duo that would eventually play in four consecutive U.S. Open Tournaments.
The natural course led Sank to a career in coaching. He began as a football coach at Lincoln High in Orem, where one of his team captains, LaVell Edwards assisted him in a State Championship in 1948. After 19 years at Lincoln High, he then coached for 5 years at Granite High School. From there he went on to be a counselor and the first ever football coach at Olympus High School in Salt Lake City, remaining there for 18 years until his retirement in 1973. During his years of coaching he also served as President of the Utah High School Coaches Association and County Recreation Director. His many honors include the Anderberg Medal for best all-around athlete at BYU and induction into the Old-Timers Athletes Association Hall of Fame.
His service in the LDS Church included work in the Sunday School Presidency and High Priests Group in the Holladay First Ward as well as involvement with the MIA sports program as coach and athletic coordinator.
Sanky is survived by his son, Donald Romney Dixon and his wife Diane, Provo, Utah; and is fondly remembered by son-in-law, John H. Tempest, Salt Lake City; nine grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lettie and his beloved daughter, Diane Tempest and son, Alan Romney Dixon.
Funeral services will be held 12 Noon Tuesday November 14, 1995 in the Wasatch Lawn Mortuary Chapel, 3401 South Highland Drive, where friends may call on Monday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. and on Tuesday from 10:45 to 11:45 a.m. prior to services. Interment, Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park.
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