logo
Login Subscribe
Google Play App Store
  • News
    • Obituaries
    • Lifestyle
    • Opinion
  • Sports
  • E-edition
  • Calendar
  • Archives
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Advertisers
    • Form Submission
    • About Us
    • News
      • Obituaries
      • Lifestyle
      • Opinion
    • Sports
    • E-edition
    • Calendar
    • Archives
    • Contact
      • Contact Us
      • Advertisers
      • Form Submission
      • About Us
Saying farewell to Coach Truman Dixon
A: Main, News
March 13, 2025
Saying farewell to Coach Truman Dixon
By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER,

On Dec. 10, 2024, Truman Dixon, celebrated his last birthday. He turned 99. Little did Checotah know that they would lose another icon just a few months later, on Sunday, March 9, when their beloved “Coach” headed for the biggest game day of his life – a golden ticket at the Golden Gate.

Truman was born the 10th child to Mary Jane White and Thomas Dixon. Little did Mary know then that she had given birth to a living legend that would graduate from Checotah High School in 1944, be the first of their family to attend college and come back to coach his beloved Wildcats. Yes, Truman would go on to become a teacher, mentor and coach on and off the field for decades in McIntosh County.

From coaching both boys and girls basketball teams which led the boys to the State Championship in 1969, Truman also won Oklahoma Coaches Association Basketball Coach of the Year three times and was inducted in 1996 to the OCA Hall of Fame. In 2022, he would also be inducted into the Checotah Athletic Hall of Fame with former coaches, players and students cheering him on.

Yet when Truman was asked in an interview last year he quickly stated his greatest accomplishment was chasing and winning over his sweetheart Colleen Archer years ago. On March 13, 1948, he said that he talked Colleen into becoming a Dixon, where they lived in the same house on the same street in Checotah and have always welcomed friends and family with an open door. Together the Dixons raised three children, Jackie, Janice and Benny; 19 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren which included a set of triplets. They would have celebrated their 77th wedding anniversary this Thursday.

When asked over a year ago what the secret to life was, Truman blew out his 98 blazing candles with one puff and said, ”Love God and your family and stay busy.” And staying busy he did. Right up until his passing Truman still planted his own garden, hunted and fished with friends, went on trips with his family and tried to tinker with anything he could around the house. He also still loved to attend all the home games he could, oftentimes going with former players, and he could shoot the bull with the best of them, even had an alligator story or two to tell. Truman and Colleen didn’t miss Checotah Class Reunions or Memorial Day ceremonies at Greenlawn Cemetery because Truman was a proud Marine who gave back to his country and his fellow man.

City councilman and family friend Jay Hayes paid tribute to Coach Dixon with this fitting tribute: “This man right here…It’s virtually impossible to put into words the collective sadness when someone of his stature moves on from this world to the next. It’s equally difficult to describe the collective joy and fulfillment he created in the multitude of lives he touched.

“One of my earliest childhood memories is of him giving me swimming lessons through the Red Cross at the Connors State College pool circa 1976. He was also the vice principal at my first school, Longfellow Elementary, where it was rumored he had an electric paddle that he would use to literally light up the backsides of misbehavers. So if you had told my 5-year-old self that the same man would end up being one of my closest friends, I’m sure I would’ve giggled at your silliness. But life is strange that way, and beautifully so.

“The Ol’ Ball Coach was a legend and Oklahoma High School basketball royalty. Known far and wide for the teams and players he produced, he took both boys and girls’ teams to state tournament finals in the late 1960s and early 70s, and hoisted that coveted gold ball in 1969.

“If you went to any ball game with him in the past few decades, the number of retired coaches and administrators that always recognized him and stopped to pay him tribute was impressive. And the number of old referees who loved to recount their Coach Dixon interactions was always entertaining. But he went to his grave downplaying his greatness. He regularly espoused that players, not coaches, won games. While that’s undoubtedly true, I believe that successful coaches (and leaders) like him find ways to get the very best out of their players, and I have no doubt that was his secret sauce.

“I’ll miss him deeply, as will all of Checotah. But we’re all the better for having known Truman Dixon and been a part of his truly incredible and inspirational 99-year ride. Prayers of comfort go out to all his family and friends. May the Lord wrap us all in the warm embrace of precious memories of a life well-lived in the service and for the betterment of others.”

On Monday, the staff at the Jack C. Montgomery VA Medical Center held an “Honor Walk” for Truman as his family and friends escorted him one last time back to Checotah.

Per instructions of TD given to his daughter, graveside services were held at Greenlawn Cemetery on Wednesday, March 12.

Checotah lit up the sky this 4th of July
A: Main, News...
Checotah lit up the sky this 4th of July
By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER 
July 10, 2025
The City of Checotah showed off its bold stripes, bright stars and brave hearts this Fourth of July after working countless hours so residents could celebrate their freedom with lots of family fun and...
this is a test
A: Main, News...
Sexual Assault Awareness Honor Walk
July 10, 2025
Friday, July 11 at 12 p.m. Posey Park, Eufaula Show your support for survivors Take a stand against violence! Muscogee (Creek) Nation Center for Victim Services
this is a test
A: Main, News...
Annual Memorial Service planned at Honey Springs Battlefield
July 10, 2025
CHECOTAH — Honey Springs Battlefield will hold its annual memorial service on Saturday, July 19, at 10:30 a.m. to honor the 162nd anniversary of the Battle of Honey Springs near Checotah. The service ...
this is a test
Farewell to Checotah’s friend, Jerri Reaves
A: Main, News...
Farewell to Checotah’s friend, Jerri Reaves
By LADONNA RHODES STAFF WRITER 
July 10, 2025
Last Thursday family and friends said goodbye to former city councilwoman Jerri Reaves who had passed away on June 26 at the age of 82. Jerri graduated from Checotah High School in 1962. In 1980, she ...
this is a test
News
Trump administration freezes over $70 million state’s education funds
By NURIA MARTINEZ-KEEL OKLAHOMA VOICE 
July 10, 2025
States won’t receive funds from six federal programs, including after-school care and English learner support, until further notice. OKLAHOMA CITY — The Trump administration is indefinitely withholdin...
this is a test
News
Jeff Starling launches campaign for attorney general
July 10, 2025
TULSA ––Jeff Starling, Oklahoma’s Secretary of Energy and Environment, has officially announced his candidacy for Attorney General of Oklahoma. Starling is a conservative, attorney, businessman, and d...
this is a test
United for Oklahoma
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
Editor Picks
Plumb Theatre News
News
Plumb Theatre News
By MATTIE AND PAUL MALOY PLUMB THEATRE 
July 10, 2025
Never too early to start singing and the HALLELUJAH HONEYS are representative of that. Kate Andrews will be singing and playing with two other Honeys, Aubree,13, and Charlee, 10. They are some cuties ...
this is a test
Freedom Fest
News
Freedom Fest
July 10, 2025
Checotah residents celebrated their freedom with lots of family fun and fireworks on July 4th weekend at Freedom Fest.
this is a test
Police training
News
Police training
July 10, 2025
Recently local law enforcement trained for two days on different scenarios that might arise during traffic stops, hostage situations, domestic disturbances, and more.
this is a test
News
Two from area on UCO Honor Rolls
July 10, 2025
EDMOND - Two from this area have made he University of Central Oklahoma recently announced the students named to the university’s honor rolls; a distinction given to those who achieve the highest acad...
this is a test
Warriors of God, ready yourselves
commentary
Warriors of God, ready yourselves
July 10, 2025
Of my 56 years of being in this world, 50 of those years I have been filled with the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. I was only six years old when I attended my first Tiger Mount...
this is a test
Facebook
Twitter
Tweets
Twitter
Tweets

MCINTOSH COUNTY DEMOCRAT
300-A S. Broadway
Checotah, OK
74426

(918) 473-2313

This site complies with ADA requirements

© 2023 Mcintosh Democrat

  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility Policy