MADISON -- Dixon Ferris (Matt), age 83, passed away on Friday, March 16, 2007. He was born in Big Cabin, OK, on September 2, 1924, to Bessie Thelma Dixon, "Betty" and Dabner Lee Madison, Sr., "Bit". In December of 1942, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps and later transferred to the U.S. Army. Matt was a Combat Veteran from World War II, the Korean conflict, and Vietnam. In 1970, he received the Bronze Star for service in Vietnam. Matt retired in 1971 as a Master Sergeant, after 20 years of military service. After military retirement, he owned and operated Matt's Steakhouse in Sapulpa, OK. Military life led to wandering feet and Matt and his wife, Louise, spent many years living in Arizona, Nevada, and California, before returning to Oklahoma in 2005. Matt was a Mason and a tribal member of the Cherokee Nation. His father, Bit and his mother, Betty preceded him in death. Matt is survived by: his wife of 61 years, Louise; and their children, Marlene Lawson (Gordon) of Okmulgee, OK, Melinda Lambert (Dick) of Sacramento, Suzanne Barr of Woodbridge, VA, Mark Madison (Cindi) of Albuquerque, NM, Tena Alexander (Jim) of Tulsa, Julie Boland (Marty) of Herndon, VA, and Lisa Kuhlman (Steven) of Chattanooga, TN. He is also survived by: 12 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren; his brother, Dabner Lee Madison, Jr., "Jerry" of Tulsa; half-brother, Perry Madison of Santa Rosa, CA; and step-sister, Molly Wheeler of Grand Junction, CO; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Viewing was Wednesday, March 21, at Floral Haven Funeral Home in Broken Arrow. The Funeral will be 10 a.m., Friday, March 23, at Floral Haven Funeral Home . Graveside service, with military honors and interment will be at Ft. Gibson National Cemetery following the funeral. The family requests that any donations be made in his name to the Wounded Warrior Program. For more information on the Wounded Warrior Program you may visit their website at www.woundedwarriorproject.org. Floral Haven, 252-2518.
Published in the Tulsa World on 3/22/2007.
Submitted by: Shelley Lynch <leeshlynch@gmail.com>
