Perry Gene Van Dixon

Perry Gene Van Dixon, 85,  of Siloam Springs, Arkansas passed away quietly at home February 29, 2020.

Perry was born August 30,1935 in Portville, New York to Perry Van Dixon Sr. and Etta Wanda Van Dixon. He married Erma Mae Soules Goodyear in 1958 in Olean, New York. Perry and Erma moved to Denver Colorado in 1958. He attended University without walls, Loretta Hights 

college and graduated in 1975 in business Management.  He worked for Gates Rubber Company for over 30 years. In 1980 Perry transferred to the Gates Rubber Company facility in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, as personnel manager until he retired. Perry always had a love of the outdoors hunting, fishing, hiking, and camping his whole life and instilled core values of taking care of the environment his whole life. When his sons were young he was active in Thorton, CO Little League Football and served as president. He never missed a high school football game and also coached several years, as well as coaching baseball.  He was an avid football watcher and attended many Bronco games while living in the Denver area. After moving to Arkansas he served on many community committees and participated in, as well as starting programs at Gates for children in the community. He served on Governor Clinton’s Committee on Education of which he was very proud of the work that was accomplished. After his retirement from
Gates, he joined the Peace Corps in 1990 with his wife Erma. During his time in the Peace Corps he designed and engineered the building of a fresh water facility in Fiji. He then worked for the Peace Corps training volunteers in Sri Lanka. While in Sri Lanka he dressed as Santa and rode an elephant through town throwing little gifts and candy out to the children. He returned home to build a house in Siloam Springs but returned to Indonesia for 6 years to manage a rattan furniture factory.  During his lifetime he traveled the world and loved having many adventures. After returning from Indonesia he lived in Siloam Springs until the time of his passing. 

He is survived by his wife Erma, children Stephan Goodyer and wife Lark of Providence RI, and Michael Goodyear and wife Susan of Thornton, CO; and four grandchildren and eight great grandchildren which he loved dearly.

Perry was predeceased by his mother, father and brother, Robert.

Memorial Service to be held on Saturday March 7, 2020, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM at the Backstrom-Pyeatte Funeral Home, 1401 E Main St, Siloam Springs, AR, 72761.