John F. Hixon, Jr.

Mr. John F. Hixon Jr. of Winchester Rd. Cumberland, MD passed away August 3, 2023, at

J.W. Ruby Hospital in Morgantown, WV. He was the last surviving member of his immediate

family.

Born on November 30, 1937, in Everett, PA, he was the son of the late John F. Hixon Sr.

and Helen Clark Hixon. He was preceded in death by his sisters Patricia Dorner and Merrilyn

Clapper and brother Thomas Hixon.

He is survived by his wife Sylvia Foor Hixon, daughter Andra Nelson and husband Brice;

son John William “Bill” Hixon and wife, Frances; and daughter Mary Elizabeth “Betsy” Hixon

Love and husband Ralph; six grandchildren, JC Hixon and wife Tanya, Estelle Hixon, Haley Hixon

and fiancée Cody Rodeheaver, Clark Nelson, Zoe Love, Abigail Love and great-granddaughter,

Ivy Hixon.

After graduating from Everett High School in 1955, John went on to attend Pennsylvania

Military College in Chester, PA graduating with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and as a 1st

Lieutenant. He was the former Vice President and General Manager at Allegany Ballistics

Laboratory (ABL).

He joined Hercules in 1959 as an engineer in the Rocket Development Department. John

was instrumental in many facets of ABL’s modernization of the facilities, enhancing

manufacturing capabilities for defense products. He was responsible for the successful

qualifications of various rocket motor programs serving the American warfighters. He worked

with the U.S. Department of Defense, Raytheon, Rockwell, Lockheed-Martin, Hughes, Loral, and

Textron. He retired in 1996 after 37 years of service. His legacy and dedication to ABL has

provided for thousands of local West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania residents.

John was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. He enjoyed spending time with his

family, attending his grandchildren’s events, as well as woodworking and refinishing antiques.

He was a lover of all animals and spent numerous hours caring for his cats and dogs.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Allegany County Animal Shelter.

 Visitation will be at Sowers Funeral Home in Frostburg, MD on Tuesday, August 8 from6-8 pm.

A private funeral will be held in Everett, PA.