Fred Chipman Dixon, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, returned to his Father in Heaven on November 19, 2009 after a valiant battle with cancer. He was at home supported by his family and loved ones. Fred was born June 15, 1932 to Helen Chipman Dixon and Fred Walter Buck Dixon in Provo, Utah. He graduated from BYU High School in 1950, and attended Brigham Young University. While in college he was called to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in France and Belgium, and then returned to BYU to complete his studies for a BA and MA in Fine Arts and Theater, completing his Masters thesis on the actress Julie Harris while he lived and worked in New York City. He served in the United States Army during 1957 and 1958. Fred arrived in the Tri-Cities in 1962 after accepting a position in speech and drama at Columbia Basin College. Fred met his wife Pat in 1963 when they were cast opposite each other in RLOC's "The Music Man." The romance blossomed on stage as well as in real life and they were married in 1964, and he became the leading man and father of four lovely daughters, Michelle, Cynthia, Lisa and Julie. He loved spending time with his family and he cherished his time with his grandchildren. Fred loved the energy and excitement of New York and returned yearly to Broadway to see the latest shows and attend classes at the prestigious H.B. Studio. He performed in Summer Stock on the east and west coasts as well as off-Broadway in New York. He appeared briefly in the soap opera "Love of Life". During his lifetime he directed 75 plays and appeared in over 125 plays, ranging from Shakespeare to musical comedy, dramas, and light comedies. Some of his favorite roles included: "The Man Who Came to Dinner", "The Fantastiks", "The Price", "The Crucible", "All My Sons", "Glass Menagerie", "Mornings at Seven", "Company", "The Cocktail Hour", and whatever play he was currently working on. You could always find a script in his hand and a song in his heart. Fred loved being on stage and shared the joy of performing with his fellow actors at Players, RLOC, and CBC. During his career he inspired a lot of young actors and brought immense pleasure to audiences as director or player. Fred and Pat recently celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary, but they had a lifetime of honeymoons, exploring Europe, the beaches of Hawaii, East Hampton, Mexico, and cruised the Caribbean and the Panama Canal with friends. One of their most memorable trips was in 2007 when Fred was nominated as "Broadway's Biggest Fan". He won a trip to New York where he and Pat sat onstage in Times Square watching the performances of the current Broadway shows. It was a thrill of a lifetime. Fred was preceded in death by his grandson Cameron Merrill. He is survived by his wife, Pat; sister Mary Lou Taylor; brothers Richard & Judy Dixon, David & Pat Dixon; his children Michelle & Matthew Gregg, Cynthia & Carey Sawada, Lisa Merrill, and Julie & Jim Garner. Grandchildren Sarah & Andrew Haggard, Sam & Danielle Gregg, Katie & Cody Lunderman, Brenton & Amanda Gibbs, Kristin & Andre Martinez, Eliana Merrill, Aaron & Callie Merrill, Kristina, Brooke & Tanner Merrill, Jimmy, Amanda, Jacob & Jordan Garner; great-grandchildren Hunter, Isabella, Cooper, Jaedyn, Allen, Andie, Emma & Paisley. Fred will be loved and remembered for his example of a life well lived. He was a dedicated member of the Edison Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was currently serving on the Stake Public Relations Committee. A celebration of his life will be held Saturday, November 28, 2009, at 11:00am, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 515 S. Union, Kennewick, Washington. Family will be greeting friends from 10:00am until 10:45am. Memorial contributions may be sent to Hospice at The Chaplaincy, 2108 W. Entiat, Kennewick, WA 99336 or The American Cancer Society, 7325 W. Deschutes Ave Suite A, Kennewick, WA 99336