DIXON, Russell (Russ) Armitage

November 14, 1924 – Medicine Hat, Alberta

December 9, 2018 – Calgary, Alberta

Peacefully, on Sunday morning, December 9th, 2018, Russell Dixon passed away at the Alberta South Health Campus Hospital. He is survived by his beloved wife, Sheila (nee Sinton); children, Howard (Toni), Christine (Clive) and Doug (Kelly); grandchildren, Michael, Bill, Bob (Emily), Shaun, Ben, Teja, Rachel, Jen and Will, and his great-granddaughter, Brinley.

Russ was born in Medicine Hat, Alberta on November 14, 1924, youngest child of Dr. Howard and Beatrice Dixon, and brother to Peggy, John and Charlie. After graduating from high school in 1943, he enlisted with the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion of the 6th British Airborne Division, serving in England, Belgium, Holland and Germany, participating in the Battle of the Bulge and the airborne drop over the Rhine River in March, 1945.

After discharge from the Army, Russ enrolled at the University of Alberta, receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1948 and a Law Degree in 1951. He was admitted to the Alberta Bar in 1952 and practiced for twenty-nine years in Calgary with the firm Howard, Dixon, Mackie & Forsyth. Russ was elected a Bencher of The Law Society of Alberta in 1971 and served as Chairman of the Ethics Committee, Vice Chairman of the Discipline Committee and Vice President of the Law Society. He was named a Queen’s Counsel in 1973. In 1979 Russ was elected President of the Law Society of Alberta.

On October 24, 1980, Russ was appointed to the Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench. He served in every capacity as a trial and chambers Judge and on the Civil Practice and Procedure Committee for many years. Russ retired from the Court on November 14, 1999, but continued to stay active in the legal community, conducting mediations and serving on arbitration panels until he was in his mid-80s.

Russ and Sheila were married in Calgary in 1951. They celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary on September 1, 2018. In addition to providing their children with a wonderful upbringing that included countless ski and camping trips, they surrounded themselves with a great group of friends with whom they shared many happy times.

Russ loved the outdoors where he skied, golfed, fly fished, hunted upland birds, played tennis and just enjoyed a good sunset or the sighting of a deer in his backyard. He loved his family, his many relatives, his friends, his province and his country. His 94 years were filled with laughter and a great joy for life. He will be dearly missed.

A Celebration of Russ’s Life will be held at the Calgary Golf and Country Club (one block west of the intersection of Elbow Drive and 50th Avenue S.W.) on Friday, January 18, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. (The club’s dress code will be in effect; please, no denim.) In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Canadian Wildlife Federation or to the charity of your choice. Condolences may be forwarded through www.mcinnisandholloway.com.

In living memory of Russell Dixon, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road S.E., Calgary, AB, T2X 3J3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.