Obituary of Gene Hixson

C. Gene Hixson, 97, died January 10, 2025 in Dunlap, Tennessee. A lifelong resident of Sequatchie County, he was born on October 18, 1927 to Stephen and Era Kelly Hixson. As a teenager, he worked in his father's grocery store, butchering before school during the school year and driving the rolling store to Fredonia, Lewis Chapel, and other rural parts of the county during the summer, often sleeping overnight on the floors of his customers' homes. After high school he joined the US Navy during the final months of WWII where he served as a medic and as a butcher under the command of Paul "Bear" Bryant. Following the war, he attended Tennessee Tech until his father's illness brought him home to Dunlap. There he owned and operated the Western Auto store for over 35 years. He married his high school sweetheart, Vivian Kell, and they were married 52 years until her death. He was a lifelong member of Dunlap United Methodist Church, a director of Mountain Valley Bank for 50 years, and a member of various civic organizations. Gene's passion for fishing was instilled in him by his father, a love which he then passed down to the next three generations of his family. As an avid bass fisherman, he spent every Thursday fishing in Center Hill, Tims Ford, and other area lakes, no matter the weather. He was chastised many times by female family and friends for sharing his great love for fishing with his grandsons and nephews in extreme inclement weather. In his later years after retiring, he traveled to Cocodrie, Louisiana to fish for speckled trout and redfish, often accompanied by his second wife, Linda, with whom he shared 23 years of marriage. He enjoyed building things, especially for his grandsons. He also enjoyed gardening and loved sharing his vegetables with others, whether they wanted them or not. He is survived by his wife, Linda Cox Hixson, a sister, Gayle Thornton, a daughter, Vallerie (Mike) Greer, grandsons, Steve (Rebecca) and John (Kathryn) Greer, great-grandchildren, William, Margaret, Michael, and Anna Greer, step-children, Julia (Jim) and Kyle (Courtney) Barker, niece, Gay Doherty, and nephews, Donnie and John Kell, Steve and Mark Hixson, and Bob Thornton. Special thanks to Hospice of Chattanooga and to the staff at NHC Sequatchie for their exceptional and compassionate care. A graveside service will be held at Chapel Hill Cemetery in Dunlap on Friday, January 17, 2025 at 1:00 Central Standard Time with the Reverend Kim Dunn officiating. Online condolences can be made at www.reedfamilyfh.com. Arrangements by Standefer-Reed Funeral Home, 50 May Road, Dunlap, TN. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Dunlap United Methodist Church, 1958 Main Street, Dunlap, Tennessee 37327 or a charity of your choice. No Visitation.