Dec. 10, 1925 – March 9, 2025
Truman Lee Dixon, a lifelong citizen and coach of Checotah, OK, passed away Sunday, March 9, 2025, in Muskogee, OK, at the age of 99. He was the 10th child born to Mary Jane White and Thomas Dixon on Dec. 10, 1925.
He graduated from Checotah High School in 1944 and joined the Marines.
On March 13, 1948, he married his partner for life, Colleen Archer, who remained by his side for 77 years.
Truman was the first of his family to attend college, going on the GI bill.
Truman served the community as teacher, administrator, coach and friend. He provided support for students who are now productive citizens throughout the state and nation. From working at the cotton gin, to pumping gas at the Phillips 66 Station, to teaching not just economics, but swimming lessons to thousands of students, he also provided for his family.
While coaching, Dixon led the Checotah Wildcat boys’ and girls’ basketball teams to a combined 699-248 record. His girls’ teams won 498 games in 27 seasons, while the boys’ teams won 201 games in 10 seasons. In 1969, he led the Checotah boys’ team to the state championship and brought home the Class A Gold ball. As a coach, Truman always said, “The trophies we won were not won by me, but by the players.”
During those times he was known as the “Little General” and went on to be named the Oklahoma Coaches Association Basketball Coach of the Year in 1968, 1969 and 1973.
In 1996, Truman was inducted into the Oklahoma Coaches Association Hall of Fame and in 2022 he was inducted into the Checotah Athletic Hall of Fame.
Besides being a coach, Truman was a dad to many. The Dixons’ door was always open. Truman was so proud to be a Wildcat and a United States Marine!
He had a host of friends and family that admired him.
Truman is survived by his wife of 77 years, Colleen Archer Dixon; daughters, Jackie White (Terry) of Broken Arrow; Janice Gross (Steve) of Tulsa and son, Benny Dixon (Sheila) of Bixby; his grandchildren, Coby McQuay, Cory Moore, Justin White (Shannon), Jared White (Ericka), Kallea Gaines (Brayden), Blake Gross (Jessica), Cole Gross, Blair Gross (Laura), Brock Dixon (Christina), Bailey Dixon (Sam) and Christian Welborn (Ryan); great grandchildren include, Bria, Braylea, Brooklyn, Dylan, Addison, Vivian, Jolie, Emric, Ericsson, Eddie, Hayden, Benjamin, Hayes, Harlow, Henley, Cash, Hudson, Brooks, Lincoln, Anna Rose, Georgia, Ryliee, Elizabeth, Luke and Lyla. He is also survived by his loyal friends, Jason Combs, Sam and Mary Wright, along with many other extended family members and a lifetime of friends.
Viewing was held Wednesday, March 12, 2025 at Garrett Family Funeral Home in Checotah. Per Truman’s written request there was a graveside service only on Wednesday, March 12, 2025 at Greenlawn Cemetery with Pastor Jay Dixon ministering. Ray Grandstaff, Jason Combs, Claxton Todd, Larry Bookout, Jay Hayes and Robert Parks served as Casket Bearers. Gary Stidham served as Honorary Casket Bearer. J.C. Watts gave the committal prayer.
