Paul Francis Dix

January 14, 1927 – June 18, 2020

Loving Husband, Father, Son, Brother, Brother-In-Law, Uncle and Friend.

Paul Francis Dix passed away peacefully at Ascension Seton Williamson Hospital in Round Rock, Texas on Thursday, June 18, 2020 of Congestive Heart Failure. He was 93. He had dealt with the illness for the past few years but it gradually worsened the past couple of years. He fought like a trooper doing everything he was told to do to have the best life possible until God called him home. He had a beautiful send off from his children as he was entering Heaven as they told him over and over go be with Mother. They also told him they would be fine and don't worry about them.

Paul Francis Dix was born on January 14, 1927 to Joseph and Ethel Dix on the family farm in Conde, South Dakota. He was the fourth child to be born into the family which would eventually consist of 13 children with 11 surviving to adulthood. Life was hard on the farm but the love that all the children were shown followed Paul into his life and even blossomed larger and stronger as he grew older. This can also be said about his Catholic Faith. Paul was a devoted Catholic his entire life.

Paul, like so many young men and women, met the call of duty and sacrifice when World War II broke out in the Pacific Ocean. Paul enlisted with his brothers at the age of 17 and was stationed on the USS Wasp CV-18. Paul was one of the telegraph operators for the ship which meant all communication going in and out of the ship went through Paul and the other Telegraphers.

Upon the Victory of World War II by the United States and its Allies, Paul returned home to South Dakota to the family farm. He became a teacher in Turton, South Dakota where he taught many of his siblings and cousins. He eventually turned his attention to getting a Degree in Mechanical Engineering. He enrolled at South Dakota State but finished his degree upon moving to Wichita, Kansas where he had accepted a job with Boeing Aircraft. During his early career at Boeing he helped design the first 737 and 747 and had numerous accomplishments and awards during his life. Airplanes would become the love of Paul's professional life, even though he worked in the Custom Home Industry and the Oil Industry too during his professional life. He retired with Boeing with a combined total of 36 years in 1998.

Upon accepting the job with Boeing, Paul moved his Mother and his three youngest sisters to Wichita, Kansas in 1954 from South Dakota because he and his Brother, Robert, were heads of the household since their father had passed away in 1951. His main priority, outside of work, was his Mother and helping raise his three youngest sisters. His Mother often wondered if this is why he waited until later in life to marry. He said no, that he had not found the love of his life. That would happen in 1965 with Theresa Marie Dix.

In the Spring of 1965, Paul asked Theresa Bueche Rudisell out to go Ball Room Dancing one Saturday evening with family and friends. Paul and Theresa had known each other since Theresa was 16. The rest is history. Theresa and Paul were married in the Fall of 1965 in Wichita, Kansas at Mary Magdalene Catholic Church. He became the Father to Theresa Rachell Rudisell (Shelly), and James Michael Rudisell from Theresa's first marriage to Jim Rudisell. He told Theresa, it did not matter if he did not Father Shelly and James but he would be their Father from then on and he was just that to them, their Father. They soon welcomed Paul Kevin Dix into their family. Together the family lived in Seattle, Tucson, Wichita, Houston and back to Wichita with Paul's work. Paul loved being a Husband and Father and found it to be his greatest honor in life. Some of Paul and Theresa's happiest times were still when Shelly, James or Paul Kevin came for visits as grown children.

Paul and Theresa retired to Sun City in Georgetown, Texas in June 1998. Paul and Theresa spent 19 years in Georgetown before the Lord called Theresa home. The last five years however Theresa had dementia and Paul was her Main Caregiver and with some professional help. Theresa and Paul where married 52 loving, beautiful years. Paul felt it was his duty to care for Theresa due to vows they took together in 1965. Paul lived in Sun City another year after Theresa passed away then decided to go live at The DeLaney Senior Living in Georgetown, Texas at the age of 92. Paul made many friends at The DeLaney and loved the sense of community and fellowship he had there. Paul collapsed in his apartment the evening of June 10, 2020 and was taken to the hospital where he passed a week later on June 18, 2020.

Paul is survived by his daughter, Theresa Rachell Rudisell (Shelly) of Houston, Texas; son, James Michael Rudisell of Wichita, Kansas and son, Paul Kevin Dix of Houston, Texas; sisters: Julia Edwards of Haysville, Kansas, Yvonne Schippers of Valley Center, Kansas, Rose Pepperd and Dianne Schneider of Wichita, Kansas; brother, Ferdinand (Martha) Dix of Longview, Texas; Martha Bueche of Houston, Texas and countless Nieces and Nephews.

Paul is preceded in death by his wife, Theresa Marie Dix; his parents, Joseph and Ethel Dix; sister, Donna Hendren; sister, Gwendolyn Schunk; brothers: Joseph Dix, Jr., Richard Dix, Robert Dix, Edward Dix, Earl Dix; brothers-in-law: Walter Bueche, Francis (Mary and Millie) Bueche, Paul (Janie) Bueche, Bernard Bueche; sister-in-law, Mary (John) Adkins; and several nieces and nephews.

Services for Paul will be held when we are all able to get together and celebrate his life in a way he would have wanted. Please check back for more details.

You may share a message or memory in the online memorial guestbook at www.RamseyFuneral.com.