James E. Hixson Sr., 86, of Scottdale, passed away peacefully at 6:12 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2016, in Select Specialty Care Center, Latrobe. Jim was born May 24, 1929, in Everson, a son of the late Cash and Loretta M. (Slavin) Hixson, who passed away in 1947 and 1998, respectively. Jim married the former Mary L. Evancho on Aug. 28, 1954, and they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2004. She passed away May 10, 2005. Jim was a devoted husband, father and uncle. He was a retired machinist, working for nearly 40 years at Duraloy Blaw-Knox in Scottdale. A graduate of Vandergrift High School, class of 1947, he served as a private first class in the Army during the Korean War. Jim was a longtime and faithful member of the Partner Parish of St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church in Scottdale and a member of the former Holy Name Society. He was a life member of Hecla Sportsmen's Club, a former member of the Norvelt Senior and Everson VFW Golf Leagues, and an active member of the Scottdale Brookman-Hernley VFW Post 7781. He enjoyed hunting and the outdoors and was an avid golfer, scoring a hole-in-one at Myrtle Beach. Jim will be sadly missed by his loving family; his son, Vincent P. "Vinnie" Hixson, of Scottdale; his very special niece, Linda Colbert and her husband, Ken, of Mt. Pleasant; and his great-niece, Megan (Colbert) Kapolka and her husband, Jeff, and their son, Kelan. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his infant son, Joseph Hixson (Oct. 3, 1955); his son, James E. Hixson Jr. (March 21, 2015); his sister, Virginia Mathias (1997); and his two brothers, William Hixson (1963) and Chalmer Hixson (1995).
Personalized arrangements are under the professional supervision of the ROBERT B. FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME, 105 Spring St., Scottdale (724-887-5300 / www.fergusonfunerals.com / GPS: N40 degrees 06.136, W79 degrees 35.278). Family and friends will be received from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday and 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday in the funeral home chapel, where parting prayers will be recited at 10:30 a.m. Saturday. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday in the Partner Parish of St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, Scottdale, with Father Andrew Kawecki as celebrant. Graveside committal service and interment will follow in Visitation Cemetery, Mt. Pleasant, with full military honors bestowed by the Scottdale-Everson Honor Guard. The Ministry of Consolation will hold a memorial service at 7:45 p.m. Friday in the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to: Partner Parish of St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, 416 S. Broadway, Scottdale, PA 15683. Love Lasts Forever! - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/triblive-tribune-review/obituary.aspx?n=james-e-hixsonpd=177761263&fhid=4264#sthash.YsV0v9vb.dpuf