Dixon, James M. (Father)

November 28, 2024

Let us pray in thanksgiving for the life of Fr. James M. Dixon, SJ, who died on November 28, 2024 at St. Camillus Jesuit Community in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. He was 82 years old. May he rest in peace.

Let us pray in thanksgiving for the life of Fr. James M. Dixon, SJ, who died on November 28, 2024 at St. Camillus Jesuit Community in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. He was 82 years old. May he rest in peace.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents James and Cecilia (nee Kluger) Dixon and his sister, Ann Williams. He is survived by nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Jim was born in Chicago, Illinois, on September 6, 1942. He attended Loyola University Chicago for one year (1960-1961) before he entered the Chicago Province of the Society of Jesus at the Novitiate of the Sacred Heart in Milford, Ohio, on August 8, 1961. He was ordained a priest on June 7, 1973 at Madonna della Strada Chapel on the campus of Loyola University Chicago and pronounced final vows in the Loyola University Chicago Jesuit Community on August 22, 1984.

While in the Society, Jim earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Loyola University Chicago (1967). He also earned a master’s degree in sociology from Fordham University (1968) and a master’s of divinity from Regis College in Toronto, Ontario (1973).

During regency, Jim taught sociology at Loyola University Chicago and also worked on a sociological survey of the Society of Jesus (1968-1970). After ordination, he was the associate pastor and worked with the Native Deacon Program at Immaculate Conception Church in West Bay, Ontario (1973-1974). He then taught theology at Saint Ignatius College Prep in Chicago (1974-1977) before being missioned to be the pastor on Holy Rosary Mission in South Dakota (1977-1982). While he was working in South Dakota, he also was the senior associate judge of the Diocese of Rapid City.

After a well-earned sabbatical, Jim became the associate pastor of Our Lady of Mercy Parish (1984-1986) and at St. Ignatius Church in Chicago (1986-1991). While in Chicago, Jim also was on the Matrimonial Tribunal of the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Jim was then missioned to be pastor of a family of parishes in Arizona in addition to being the associate judge for the Diocese of Little Rock (1997-2002). He returned to the Chicago Province where he was the associate director (2002-2008) and director (2008-2011) of the Heartland Center in Hammond, Indiana. While he was director, Jim also was the director of peace and social justice for the Diocese of Gary.

He then served the Society as the superior of the Woodlawn Jesuit Community (2012-2018) and the chaplain for the Ignatian Volunteer Corps (2012-2024) before being missioned to St. Camillus Jesuit Community in 2021.

Jim was a kind man who met people easily and enjoyed helping them. He made close friends while working in the Dioceses of Rapid City, Phoenix, Little Rock, and Gary and stayed in frequent contact with several of them. He was a pastor, an advocate in marriage tribunals, a spiritual director, and a companion to young adults. He had a special affection for indigenous people, First Nation and Native American, thanks his studies in Toronto and his parish ministry in Oglala, South Dakota.

Jim’s passion was social justice. He advocated for the poor and the marginalized by contacting members of Congress and other elected officials; he was a voice for the disadvantaged.

The certified nursing assistants (CNAs) who cared for Jim in his final years got close to him. He listened intently to them and understood their concerns; they appreciated the respect, kindness, and support he gave them.

The card he has printed on his golden jubilee in the Society (2011) quoted First Corinthians 15:10: “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace towards me was not in vain.” Jim added, “That grace is AMAZING!”

Fr. Richard Baumann, SJ, had these memories of Jim:

Whether with the economically poor among the Native Americans, or those at the Heartland Center in Northwest Indiana, or elsewhere, Jim always took interest and had a listening heart. He appreciated the cultures of those with whom he worked and valued a simplicity of lifestyle. He loved the Society and enjoyed the socializing and brotherhood of our community life.

Fr. Bill Creed, SJ, writes of Jim Dixon with whom he shared Jesuit life for 61 years:

Dixie, as many of us called him, was a faithful friend to his relatives, Jesuit companions, former colleagues, former classmates. He delighted in being together – especially over a good meal. He kept abreast of the news and enjoyed a debate over current social and political issues. I found some of his most attractive qualities were an endearing vulnerability, a capacity to laugh at himself, and a willingness to speak truth simply and succinctly as he saw it. But most of all, to me Dixie was like a human Teddy Bear – just loveable.