Reverend Charles Edward Mixon, 74, of Emmett, Idaho, lost his struggle with Alzheimer’s and joined the Lord, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2010. Ed passed away at home, attended by his wife, Diana, his main “companion”/caregiver, Angie and her family.
Ed was born in Griffin, Ga., to Rebecca P. and William s. Mixon. He was the youngest of five children. He obtained he theology degree from Emory University and was granted full clergy privileges to the North Georgia Conference of the Methodist Church in 1961. In 1963, Ed transferred to the Rock River Conference of Illinois as Director of Camps and conferences. In 1966, Ed was appointed to Arlington Hts. First Methodist Church as an Associate pastor. For the next 30 years, he faithfully served eight congregations of the Northern Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church.
In 1956, Ed married Elizabeth A. Benedict. They later divorced, but had three sons during their marriage, Mike, Alan and Kevin. Ed enjoyed being with his sons and shared special activities with each of them. Mike and Kevin loved camping, fishing and hunting. Alan loved skiing. All of them enjoyed riding their motorbikes.
In 1985, Ed married a long-time friend, Diana King Damko. In 1996, Ed retired from the ministry and they moved to Emmett. They liked to garden, cook and enjoyed several outdoor activities together. Ed really found pleasure in exploring backwoods areas on horseback, hunting and fishing. Ed was just as content to sit quietly and enjoy watching a spike yearling walk down the road or five pheasant cocks sparring in the front pasture. In the last four years, he enjoyed the simple things in his life and being at home.
He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Diana; his three sons, Mike, Alan and Kevin; his brother, Bill; his two sisters, Bettie and Guinn; and four grandchildren. The family would like to thank X-L Hospice for the care and compassion they offered Ed and his caregivers.
A memorial service will be held at the Emmett United Methodist Church, 1500 E. Locust St., at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 11, 2010. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association
Story about Ed (Terry MacDonald)
Eds favorite motto was any story worth telling is worth embellishing. The first time I met Ed he was helping with a back pack trip from Red Fish to Grand Jean with the Methodist Youth group from Sweet. Kirk Darnell and I packed food to Barron Lake and met them there, after several days of dehydrated food they were glad to See us, steak, potatoes, bacon and real eggs. Since we were to camp with two ministers and be on our best behavior we left all adult beverage at the trail head. After several days tending a bunch of teenagers the first thing out of their mouths was wheres the whiskey.
I don’t remember how long He was with the SBBCH only a couple of years, He got busted up pretty good one year and I don’t remember Him riding with us after that. He had one horse that gave him a hard time.
Ed ended up buying a couple of mexican ponies that someone was bringing in to the country at that time, they were good broke horses just don’t go near them when they were eating.