John Kenneth Dixner

DIXNER, John Kenneth - Age 87, passed away on Wednesday, January 15, 2025 after a short  but valiant battle with cancer. Funeral Mass will be celebrated 11:00 AM Monday, January 27, 2025 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 600 N. Adelaide St, Fenton (The Mass will be lived stream and can be viewed via Ken's obituary at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com). Fr. David Harvey celebrant. Visitation will be held at the church Monday from 10:00 AM until the time of Mass. 

He was born December 28, 1937 in Manistique, Michigan to Harold and Margaret Dixner. Ken spent his youth on the family farm in Gulliver, MI with his siblings Philip and Janet. He excelled in sports in high school including basketball, Nordic ski jumping, and was a Upper Peninsula State Champion runner.Academic success in Engineering at the University of Michigan earned him a nomination to attend the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD where he became the 20th Company Commander and an honor graduate. While at Annapolis, he met his closest lifelong friend, Dr. David Price. The two have shared an incredible friendship that has endured nearly 70 years. As a Naval Officer, he served as Chief Engineer on the destroyer U.S.S. Charles S. Sperry DD-697. He traveled the Atlantic, Pacific, and Mediterranean during his service and was decorated for volunteering to lead his men to safety out of a shipboard fire. 

Ken returned to the University of Michigan where he earned a Masters Degree in Business Administration. While in Ann Arbor, he met his wife Suzanne Caley (Gabourie) who he married on January 6, 1968. Together, they raised their three children: Kirsten, Philip, and David. Ken loved life, and lived it fully and fearlessly. His passions were numerous, including running, downhill skiing, golf, gardening and landscaping, travel, hunting, and renovating and working on his family homestead in Gulliver. He was generous and often included family and friends on his many adventures. He loved his sailboat, “Bluejacket” and spent many hours on the Great Lakes sailing competitively with the Caley crew in many races including the Chicago to Mackinac and the Port Huron to Mackinac regattas. As a hunter, Ken traveled to Alaska, the Thorofare Valley in Wyoming, Florida, Georgia, Canada and Africa. 

He was known for his exceptionally sharp mind which was always working to build and create. A career builder and developer of both commercial and residential real estate in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Indiana, Ken developed many multi-family and affordable housing communities. Later in life, he founded Woodhaven Senior Community in Flint Township, MI and his sons remain active in the business to this day. He touched many hearts as an employer, mentor, friend, and family member. Especially significant were his deep friendships with Bill Jamnick and his high school friends Donald Anderson and Dr. Ed Bernier. Bill was his longtime hunting buddy and business partner, and Don was a close golf companion and fellow midshipman. Dr. Bernier was Ken’s best friend in high school and basketball teammate, and a loyal friend through life. Ken was a lifelong member of Saint John’s Parish in Fenton, MI and a member of the Knights of Columbus.

He was preceded in death by his brother Philip Wayne Dixner, parents Harold and Margaret Dixner, and his dear wife Suzanne, who passed away in 1996 from Lou Gehrig’s disease.Later, he met and married a new love, Susan Parrish (Gainesville, FL) whose big heart and Southern charm were irresistible. Ken and Susan married in 2006 at Jenny Lake, Wyoming. Ken leaves behind many friends and family including his children Kirsten Dixner Young (Matt Dixner Young) and grandson Benjamin Dixner Young; Philip Dixner (Mary Melcher) and grandsons Garrison, Braeden, Ryland and Corbin Dixner; and David Dixner (Jennifer Busch) and grandson John Edward Dixner. Also surviving Ken is his wife Susan Darby Parrish of Gainesville, FL and her children J. Parrish (Sarah McKune) and grandchildren Matilda, James, and Henry Parrish; Amanda Reed (Cole Reed) and grandchildren Elizabeth and Montgomery Reed; and Susan’s son, Darby Parrish. In addition to his sister Janet (Grady) Warren of Port Saint Lucie, FL, Ken is also survived by his close friend Dr. David Price and his wife Jane and their family. 

As Ken often liked to say, “Remember the Good Times.”

His family would like to thank the compassionate caregivers at Homestead Home Healthcare Services, the attentive staff of Corewell Beaumont Hospital Royal Oak, and especially Maria Mendoza, NP who tended to him gently near the end of his life. In the Upper Peninsula, Ken’s personal assistant and caregiver Sati is fondly remembered with gratitude. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the Folds of Honor Foundation (www.Foldsofhonor.org) and to Canine Companions for Independence (www.Canine.org),Delaware Ohio Branch. Tributes may be shared at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com