Obituary of Telford Miles Dixon

DIXON - Telford Miles, 94, Vintondale died Feb. 5, 2008, at Memorial Medial Center. Born Jan. 14, 1914, in Friedens, son of Jesse and Luetta (Miller) Dickson. Preceded in death by parents, wife, Bernice Hay Dixon, who died in 2002; stepfather, John Davis; brother, Paul Dixon; half-brother, Stanley Davis; and half-sister, Kathryn Luce Mundy. Survived by daughter, Patricia Kuty Walker, married to James Walker, Levittown; son, Bernard Dixon, married to Lynette, Vintondale; grandchildren, Paul Kuty, Jeffrey Dixon, Ryan Dixon, Meghan Dixon Griffith and Colleen Dixon; great-grandchildren, Colleen Kuty Rockafellow, Christopher Kuty, Sean Kuty, Brady Dixon and Delaney Dixon; great-great-granddaughter, Isabel Rockafellow; half-sister, Jean Kowaleski Hildenbrand, Columbus, Ohio; numerous nieces and nephews; and close friend and companion, Hilda Peterson, Vintondale. Graduated from Somerset High School in 1932. Retired with 35 years of service working at Acme Markets. He managed stores in Stoystown, Hooversville, Jennerstown and Indiana. District produce manager, superintendent of bakery and warehouse, also meat department superintendent. In 1943, he bought a Gas Center farm, where he raised pigs and Angus cattle after World War II. Army veteran of World War II, serving as staff sergeant in the occupation of Japan. Telford was a lifetime PGA pro who began to turn the family farm into a golf course in 1965. He built the course himself, a hole at a time. He opened Pleasant Valley Golf Course in 1967 with three completed holes. In 1974, 18 holes were completed. He assisted with the operation of the course with his wife, Bernice, and son, Bernard. Telford designed his own golf club called a Baffey. In 1999, he was placed in the Indiana County Sports Hall of Fame. He retired in 1991 from the golf course. He was a member of Armagh United Methodist Church. Life member of PGA; Indiana VFW; Johnstown Elks; United Area Lions; Indiana County Sports Hall of Fame; Pennsylvania Golf Course Owners Association; and the American Legion, Nanty Glo Post. Friends will be received 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Jon A. Meese Funeral Home, 1201 Fifth Street, Seward. Viewing also will be held from 10 until time of service at 11 a.m. Saturday at Armagh United Methodist Church, the Rev. John Hodge officiating. Private family interment. Military service in charge of local organizations. Lions service will be held at 6 p.m. Friday. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Telford's favorite charities, the David W. Griffith Memorial Fund (checks in care of Community Foundation for the Alleghenies, 116 Market St. Suite 4, Johnstown, Pa. 15901) or the Karla J. Nease Foundation, 50 Old Main St., Blairsville, Pa. 15717 or Armagh United Methodist Church.