C.L. Red Dixon

Pastor C.L. "Red" Dixon, 87, of Springdale, Ark., passed away Friday, June 3, 2022, in Circle of Life Hospice in Springdale. He was born March 7, 1935, in Russellville, Ark., to Cecil Les Dixon and Lois Chenowith Dixon. Pastor Red, along with his son Steve, co-founded Christian Life Cathedral in Fayetteville in 1984. Pastor Red sang his first solo in church when he was four years old. He gave his heart to Jesus and received his call to ministry at the age of nine. While serving as a youth leader, at the age of sixteen, he began preaching at a mission in Los Angeles, Calif. Shortly, after graduating from high school, he married the love of his life, Loretta Vinson. For the next six years they traveled throughout the United States as evangelists. In 1959 they became pastors of First Assembly of God Church in Springdale, Ark., and remained there until 1967. While in Springdale, Pastor Red hosted two daily radio broadcasts, Family Altar Time, in the mornings and Gospel Jubilee, in the afternoons. After leaving Springdale, he and Loretta moved to Oklahoma City, where they served as pastors of Putnam City Assembly of God Church for three and a half years. In 1971, they became pastors of Full Gospel Assembly of God Church in Bell Gardens, Calif., serving there until 1974. Under Pastor Red's leadership, Full Gospel became one of the largest churches in the denomination. Pastor Red loved to sing. He received his love for music from his father who sang bass in their local church. He was a very talented and self taught musician, playing both piano and guitar. At an early age, Pastor Red was offered the chance to take his music into the secular world but instead chose to devote his music to Christ. In 1958, he recorded a four song record which led to eight albums over the course of his ministry. His children recall many hours spent around the piano passing his love of music on to them. He taught them, at an early age, to harmonize and as a family they sang at meetings and conventions for the Assemblies of God. They have continued to pass down that love of music on to their children. Of all the things Pastor Red loved to do, flying was the one he loved most. He was a pilot for 20 years, owning a total nine single and twin engine planes. Two of his planes were given to other ministries in Kenya and Alaska. After giving up flying, he became a motorhome junkie. He loved traveling with their friends all over the U.S. They made it to forty eight states and Canada. Red loved his life and he loved his family and friends dearly. He is survived by his wife of sixty nine years, Loretta Dixon, two sons, Steve Dixon and wife Cozy of Springdale, Ark., Greg Dixon and wife Joetta of Springdale, Ark., one daughter, Renee Smith and husband Tom of Dallas, Texas, eight grandchildren, Steven Dixon and wife Amber, Christopher Dixon, Zachery Martin and wife Ashley, Zane Martin and wife Olivia, Brianne Harber and husband Matthew, Tanya Strelecki and husband Andrew, David Dixon and wife Jessica, Brittany Pilant and husband Garrison, twenty great grandchildren and one on the way. A visitation will be held on Friday, June 10, from 5 until 7 p.m., at Christian Life Cathedral in Fayetteville. A private family graveside will follow on Saturday, June 11, at Bluff Cemetery. A public Celebration of Life will be held at 6 p.m., Sunday, June 12, at Christian Life Cathedral. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to CLC Cathedral Chapel. To sign the online guest book please visit: www.bernafuneralhomes.com