Joshua Robert Dixon

Joshua Robert Dixon passed away unexpectedly on September 1st, 2023, at his home in Spring, Texas. Joshua was one of the most affectionate and loving persons one might have the privilege to know. Joshua, also known as, "Josh" or "Bubba", was the fourth child born to Tamara and Roger Dixon. He was born in Huntsville, TX, on June 19th, 1985. Soon after his birth it became clear that Joshua wasn't developing as expected, and would require additional support to learn to eat, walk, and communicate. Despite his initial challenges and after extensive therapies in his early life, he began to show signs of progress in eating, and he began walking at the age of 18-months-old. Joshua loved playing with loud and bright toys, making faces in his mirror, listening to others singing, and loved cuddles and kisses from his family. He had the most beautiful smile, big blue eyes and curly blonde hair. At the young age of 18 months old, new medical challenges emerged for Joshua when he started to have seizures. He would go on to be diagnosed with Epilepsy, Autism, and an Intellectual and Developmental delay. He received early intervention through the Early Childhood Intervention Program, through which he was cared for by some of the most caring and talented speech therapists, PTs and OTs all working to improve his balance, speech, coordination, and his ability to chew and swallow. During this time, he also attended the wonderful program established by Dr. Caroline Davidson, at the Education Department at SHSU for two summers. Following this, he attended school at Huntsville Elementary starting in 1989, at the age of 4-years-old. There he continued to touch the lives of those that he came in contact with, even inspiring quite a number to pursue further careers in therapy-related fields. After diligent persistence by Joshua's mother with his school, he was made able to attend Bayes Achievement Center at 8-years old. During this time, he received further individual and specialized intervention. At the age of 10-years-old, following much deliberation, the very difficult decision was made for him to receive full-time services through Bayes. This afforded him the best possible opportunity to gain additional skills in life. While Joshua was at Bayes, he made many wonderful connections with a variety of staff members and other residents, and even enjoyed helping feed the chickens. In 2007, Joshua moved to Kingwood, Texas where he attended The Village HCS learning program. After, 4 years, Joshua then moved to Spring, TX, where he attended Lauren McKenna HCS's Dayhab and residential program and made many new friends. In 2019, when he was 34 years old, Joshua's family received long awaited answers that explained the various challenges he had been facing throughout his life. It was determined that Joshua was born with a rare, random genetic mutation referred to as STXBP1. While this knowledge didn't come with a cure, it opened doors for a greater understanding of his difficulties, and a much broader support system for Joshua and his family. Although Joshua may not have learned to speak in his lifetime, he communicated through limited sign language, facial expressions, saying, "hey", and by physically showing people what he wanted. His favorite pastimes included eating a variety of foods, listening to music, listening to others singing to him, looking at pictures of his family, playing games with his sisters and nieces, watching his nieces and nephews play, listening to his brother play guitar, humming "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star", snuggling with both of his parents and their dog, Sam, and attending church services with his family at Calvary Baptist Church. Joshua delighted in his family and loved ones. Most especially, in those who treated him like the beautiful, loving, and intelligent person he was. Joshua faced countless trials in his short 38-years of life, but he was so very strong, loving, happy and the impact he had on the lives of those he touched was insurmountable. While Joshua's family and loved ones will miss him greatly and are heartbroken by their loss, they are comforted in knowing that he is in God's presence with those who have gone before him, and that he is perfect in EVERY way. We would like to thank the many special people who have made such a difference in Joshua's life, but the list would be far too long. We would like to give a special thank you to his neurologist/epileptologist Dr. Vaishnav Krishnan with Baylor, who has gone the extra mile to not only manage Joshua's seizures, but to treat him with kindness and dignity. You have our eternal respect and appreciation. Joshua was preceded in death by his grandparents, Roger E. and Carole G. Dixon, and grandfather, Robert E. Conner, great-grandparents, Roger K. And Rose Dixon, Roger G. Gandy and Pansy Bodenheimer, Robert M. Conner, Jr, Lorene Conner, Martin Mathis, and Ophelia Lucille Mathis Allen, and many other loved ones who have gone before him. He is survived by his parents, Roger and Tamara Dixon; grandmother, Gwendolyn Conner; sister, Michelle Unger, and husband Samuel, brother, Kevin Dixon, and wife Michelle, sister, Erin Rivera, and husband, Scot; aunts and uncles, Anita and Stan Skinner, Barry and Rachelann Conner, Laura and Rhonda Conner; great-aunt, Beverly Niederhofer; nieces and nephews, Rebekah, Jacob, Michael, Gabriel and Josiah Unger; Autumn, Seth, and Emma Dixon; Isabel, Katelyn and Emily Rivera; cousins, Erika Crutcher and husband Damon, Sara Yuchnewicz and husband, Colton, Kyle Endsley, Kailey and Ferris Tilton; best friend, Bob McBee, and many other family, loved ones and caregivers too numerous to count. In remembrance of Joshua, visitation will be held at 1:00pm, and services at 2:00pm on Sunday, September 10th, 2023, at Calvary Baptist Church, located at 1135 US Hwy 190, Huntsville, TX 77340. Memorial condolences to the family may be made at www.shmfh.com. Family and friends who want to support Josh and STXBP1 Awareness, please wear your STXBP1 shirts. Or if you have Epilepsy, Lennox-Gastaut, Autism awareness, or another type of shirt to support Josh, please wear it to the services. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: https://give.stxbp1disorders.org/campaign/joshua-dixon-memorial-fund/c515090

Joshua Robert Dixon

June 19, 1985 - September 1, 2023