Henry Boyce Mixon

MIXON, Henry Boyce of Dallas, born September 23, 1926, passed away July 6, 2012. Preceded in death by: 1st wife: Edith Faye Johnson-Mixon;Father: John Silas Mixon; Mother: Mary Viola Hudspeth-Mixon; Siblings: John Mixon, Lillian Mixon-Rose, Duard Mixon, Denver Mixon, Lucille Mixon-Hunsucker, Teddy Mixon, and Clarence Mixon. SURVIVORS: Spouse, Betty Joyce Hemby-Mixon; Children: Karen Sue Reed and husband, Pat; Cynthia Kay Pedersen and husband, Matthew; and Nelson Wayne Mixon and wife, Stephanie; and step-daughter Beverly Parrotte and husband, Jim; Grandchildren: Jason Stewart and wife, Ebony; Stacy Stewart and George Alton; Courtney Mixon and Casey May; Paige Mixon; and M'Kayla Mixon; Great Grandchildren: Rashelle, Sydney, Lane, Garrett, and Grayson Stewart; and Casey May, Jr.; Sisters-in-Law: Georgianna Mixon and Ruth Mixon; Other: Numerous devoted and loving nephews and nieces. Family will receive friends at the funeral home Monday evening from 6:00PM - 8:00PM. Service will be 11:00AM Tuesday July10, 2012 atFirst Baptist Church of Meadowview, 4346 N. Galloway, Mesquite, TX. 75150. Graveside service will be 3:00PM Wednesday July 11, 2012 at Kenedy Cemetery, Kenedy, TX. In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Alzheimer's Association, alz.org, 800-272-3900 Daddy wore many hats during his lifetime. He served in the U.S. Army with the 361st Construction/Combat Battalion of Engineers. After Basic Training in Ft. Leonardwood, MO, he shipped off to Bussac, France where his unit refurbished and reconstructed roads, bridges, and buildings after World War II. Two years later, back in the U.S., he continued civilian life as an over-the-road truck driver, maintenance supervisor for several businesses, finish carpenter, and home builder. His career passion was his talent at creating new pieces of furniture and cabinetry, and bringing back to life older pieces. The special pieces he created or restored completed the peoples' homes, and became a symbol of their lifestyles, family homes and hearts. One of his favorite creations was a cross that hung for many years in the main sanctuary above the baptistery at First Baptist Church in Sunnyvale, Texas. Daddy humbly served the Lord with steadfast devotion. After becoming a Christian in 1966, he soon devoted the next several decades serving his church and the Lord as Deacon and Sunday School Teacher. One of his most inspirational teachers was Brother David Birchum from First Baptist Urbandale in Pleasant Grove. His personal inspiration led him to volunteer at Baylor Hospital transporting patients from their homes when they received chemotherapy treatments. Of course his greatest love was for his wife and family. He was a devoted and loving husband; his first wife Edith was his great love. Their story began as next-door neighbors when she was 5 and he was only 12; they knew each other for over 60 years. God sure knows what he's doing long before we do! Bo and Edith shared life and a special love as husband and wife and best friends. Then sadly, the end of an era came, and after 49 years of wonderful marriage, mom went to live with the Lord. Daddy didn't know how to go on without our mother, but then one day at church, he met a guardian angel, Betty, whom he shared life with for 11 years. Betty became our stepmother and dear friend, and over the course of the next decade loved, cared and honored our father deeply. Daddy always told us that "God sure has blessed me; He gave me two of the most graceful wives to share life with". Daddy and Betty shared their golden years, laughed and managed through a different phase in life and are now also joined together in heaven. It is difficult to put into words what "daddy" means over a lifetime. Daddy was provider, mentor, and teacher. He taught us the value of hard work and the significance of putting Christ first in our lives to guide us with everyday decisions and throughout the stages of our lives. Daddy taught us how important respect was in showing others how much we cared for them. Paramount in his expectations was that we respected our mother in our actions, words and thoughts. At first impression, people would think that daddy was quite serious, but actually he was quite a clown especially with those he loved most. His funny and strangely cantankerous sense of humor lit up the room followed by his cheerful laugh. If you ever shared any of those special moments with him you have seen the sparkle in his eyes, those bright, blue eyes that laughed with you sharing in the good times and providing comfort in the tough moments. They say you can see a man's soul within his eyes, and we believe that is true. Yes, daddy knew how to smile, but it was the sparkle in his eyes that told his story. Later in life he could not see, but his eyes still lit up when you walked into the room and said "hello daddy, I love you", words he will still hear as we children continue to talk to him as he now walks his daily life with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As Psalm 34:18 reads: The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. His three children; Karen, Cindy, Nelson, his 5 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren ask that you save the tears; let your eyes shine and lips smile as we remember our dearly beloved "daddy" today.