Dr. John Aldous Dixon, 68, world-renowned laser surgeon and official of the University of Utah Medical Center, died Saturday, Feb. 15, 1992.
Dr. Dixon, who had heart problems dating back to a heart attack in 1980, died during cardiac surgery at the school's Health Sciences Center Hospital.He had served as executive vice president (1970-72), the dean of the College of Medicine (1972-76) and vice president for health sciences (1973-78) - all at the University of Utah.
In 1978, Dr. Dixon left administration and returned to full-time teaching, patient care and research.
He was a professor of surgery and the director of the U. Medical Center's Endoscopic Laser Surgery Unit. The unit was later renamed the John A. Dixon Laser Surgery Unit. He was also president of the American Laser Society. He was author of many medical texts and scientific papers.
Dr. Dixon was born in Provo and reared in Ogden. He attended Weber State College, Idaho State University and the University of Washington before earning his bachelor's and doctor of medicine degrees from the U. He performed his surgical internship and residency at the University of Rochester and at the Salt Lake Veterans Administration Medical Center.
He spent two years of military service as chief of surgery at Johnson Air Force Base Hospital, Honashu, Japan. Dr. Dixon then returned to Utah and served 18 years at a private surgery practice in Ogden.
Dr. Dixon was the area's first board-certified gastrointestinal surgeon and was president of the Weber County Medical Society. He had served as an Ogden City councilman and on the U. Board of Regents.
He was also a member of the National Advisory
Council on Health Professions Education and a past president of the Utah State Medical Association. He received the association's A.H. Robins Award for outstanding community service by a physician, its Distinguished Service Award and also the Distinguished Service to Health Care Award.
Dr. Dixon, known for his remarkable energy and enthusiasm, was also honored twice at the U. School of Medicine as an outstanding professor, as chosen by students. He had received honorary degrees from both the U. and Weber State University.
He was a high priest in the Monument Park 12th Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was the first bishop of Ogden's College 3rd Ward and served twice as a high councilor. He and his wife also served a leadership mission in Salt Lake's Liberty Stake, 4th Ward.
Funeral will be at noon Thursday, Feb. 20, at an LDS Chapel to be announced later. Friends may call at Larkin Sunset Lawn, 2350 E. 1300 South, Wednesday, Feb. 19, from 6-9 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the John A. Dixon Fund, University of Utah Health Science Development, 50 N. Medical Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84132. Burial will be in Ogden's Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 S. Washington Blvd.