Dr. Thomas P. Dixon, age 81, of Clarksville, passed into eternity on Thursday, July 7, 2016 at Vanderbilt Medical Center. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 12, 2016 at First Baptist Church, Clarksville, with Drs. Larry Riley and John David Laida officiating. Burial will follow at Sango Cemetery. The Dixon family will receive friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at McReynolds-Nave & Larson Funeral Home and from 10 a.m. until the hour of service Tuesday at First Baptist Church. Dr. Dixon entered into this life on February 17, 1935 in Rosston, Arkansas, son to the late George Washington Dixon and Annie Merritt Dixon. He was the youngest of nine, having seven sisters and two brothers. At the age of 19 he accepted Jesus Christ into his heart, and thus began the life of a servant of God. With the encouragement of his best friend Norton Pope, Tom left his job at the International Paper mill in Camden, Arkansas and attended Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree. While at Ouachita he met his future wife, Betty Jo Pendergrast Dixon, whose support and guidance he always said made it possible for him to earn both his Masters and Ph.D. in British History. After receiving his Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University Professor Dixon embarked on a 45 year career dedicated to helping his students. His proudest moment was in the Fall Semester of 1989 when he led a group of Austin Peay History students to study in Oxford, UK. His students number in the thousands and his legacy is written indelibly upon their hearts and minds. He was a 50 year member of the church family at First Baptist Church of Clarksville. Dr. Dixon is survived by his wife of 58 years, Betty Jo Pendergrast Dixon; daughter Deidre Amstutz, daughter Alison Lankford, and son, Thomas Blaine Dixon; and brother, James Eason Dixon. Serving as pallbearers are Roger Maness, David Hall, Jim Parker, Wally Vinson, Eddie Hill, and William Parker. Honorary pallbearers will be Ed Hawkins and members of the Couples One Sunday School Class, First Baptist Church. Arrangements are in the care of McReynolds-Nave & Larson Funeral Home, (931) 647-3371. NaveFuneralHomes.com