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Bobby Dixon Guided Dixon Lumber ATLARGE

Robert Mack (Bobby) Dixon, who served as president of M.C. Dixon Lumber Co. in Eufaula, Ala. for more than 30 years, died peacefully in Eufaula on Palm Sunday, April 5. He was 87.

Dixon was born in Clayton, Ala. to Mack and Janie Dixon. Mack had started M.C. Dixon Lumber in 1928 before moving the business and the family to Eufaula in 1936.

Bobby was a graduate of Eufaula City Schools and Auburn University, where he was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity. He served his country during the final months of the U.S. Army occupation of Germany. After the military, he joined the family lumber business, which had built its first stationary sawmill at what had been a concentration yard with a planer mill.

Bobby’s younger brother, Mike, would also join the business and they assumed ownership after the death of their father in 1968. The mill was known as a large log mill, concentrating on wide dimension for the housing market. In 1979 during the energy crisis, a steam boiler and cogeneration plant was added.

Bobby and Mike were a progressive team, installing a sharp chain small log line and the latest scanning and optimization into the mix in the mid 1980s. Bobby’s son, Bob, Jr., joined the business and assisted his father and uncle in expanding the company’s product offerings and timberland operations. He ultimately purchased the mill from them in the early 2000s. Bobby was a member of the Auburn University Samford Society and the Advisory Board of the University of Alabama College of Arts and Sciences. He was Chairman of the Board of Eufaula Bank and Trust Company. He also served as president of many organizations, including Alabama Forestry Assn., Southeastern Lumber Manufacturers Assn., Alabama Forestry Council, Eufaula Heritage Assn., Eufaula Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club of Eufaula, Trustees of The Lakeside School, Barbour County Auburn Club, Barbour County Hospital Assn. and the Commercial Club of Eufaula.

Bobby was a life-long Presbyterian (USA), serving as Deacon and Ruling Elder of the First Presbyterian Church of Eufaula. He was an Eagle Scout and member of the Order of the Arrow. A deeply devoted husband and father, he had a zest for life and loved participating in sports and activities with his large family. He was a boating enthusiast and member of the United States Power Squadron. He was an avid runner, “the first jogger in Eufaula.” Bobby and his wife Mary also enjoyed extensive travels over many years.

Bobby Dixon

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He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Mary Clayton Dixon; their children and their families, and his brother Mike.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The First Presbyterian Church Preservation Trust Fund, 201 N. Randolph Ave, Eufaula, AL 36027; The Lakeside School Endowment Fund, 1020 Lake Dr., Eufaula, AL 36027; or Trees Eufaula, c/o 427 N. Randolph Ave., Eufaula AL 36027. ATLARGE 46 ➤

Wilcox Co-Founded Woodland Parts & Service

Jimmy Ernest Wilcox, who co-founded Woodland Parts & Service Inc. in Talladega, Ala. in 1983, died last November 4. He was 83. Born at his home in Talladega County to Jim and Lena Wilcox, Jimmy worked to help support his family on their dairy farm and then as a high school student,

driving a school bus. He graduated from Munford High School in 1954 and went to work for the County of Talladega and then worked for equipment and parts manufacturer Soderhamn, which later became Kockums Industries. In 1958, Jimmy married Maudine Crawford after a four-year courtship.

In 1983, Wilcox co-founded Woodland Parts and Service, Inc. with Leslie Crawford and they serviced the sawmill and plywood industries with machinery, supplies and a range of services. Wilcox retired from Woodland Parts nine years ago but always loved hearing about what was going on in the industry. He continued to attend sawmill trade shows as late as 2019 and always enjoyed seeing his old friends and customers. One common memory shared by those who worked with him is that he always answered the phone before the third ring.

Wilcox was preceded in death by his parents, a brother and three sisters. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Sarah Maudine Crawford Wilcox, a son and extended family.

Wilcox was a charter member of the Talladega Bible Methodist Church where he held many positions with the church and the conference. He served on the Board of Trustees of God’s Bible School and College for 25 years in Cincinnati, Ohio. Jimmy was also a longtime member of the Gideons International.

His hobbies included gardening, tractors, cattle and bush hogging on the farm.

Wilcox will be remembered for his gentle spirit, Christian virtues, and hard work ethic.

Jimmy Wilcox

Mass Timber Firm Names Director

Nick Milestone, a veteran of the European and United Kingdom mass timber markets and the current chairman of the Timber Research and Development Trade Assn. (TRADA), has joined Katerra as director of mass timber. Before Katerra, Milestone was the director of offsite manufacturing at the William Hare Group and the managing director of B&K Structures, the largest mass timber construction business in the U.K.