Bennie McLain Hixon

Bennie McLain Hixon, 91, of Monroe, LA, passed away Thursday, October 23, 2014. Family and friends are invited to a Celebration of Life Memorial Service to be held 10:00 a.m., Monday, October 27, 2014, at Memorial United Methodist Church in Monroe, with Rev. Richard Turnley officiating, under the direction of Mulhearn Funeral Home, Sterlington Road, Monroe.Mr. Hixon was preceded in death by his parents, Ira McLain and Benjamin Newberry Hixon, his brother Samuel Clarence “Nance” Hixon, and his precious wife of 64 years, Julia Gates Hixon. He is survived by his daughter Delaine Moseley and husband John of Ruston, LA; sons, Richard N. Hixon and wife Donna of West Monroe, LA, Mark M. Hixon and wife Martha of Murfreesboro, TN, and Bryan B. Hixon of Monroe, LA; grandchildren, David Ambrose, Jr. and wife Heather of Arlington, TX, Andrew Ambrose and wife Beth of Durango, CO, Ben Hixon of Seattle, WA, Daniel Hixon and wife Christene of Jena, LA, Micah Hixon and wife Christina of Augusta, GA, Nance Hixon and wife Emily of Natchez, MS, and Rachel Evans of Jackson, MS; and two great-grandchildren, Duncan Ambrose of Arlington, TX, and Kailey Hixon of Augusta, GA.Bennie McLain, as he was known by friends and family, was born in Mangham on June 21, 1923. He enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War II and served with the 14th Armored Division, which entered France at Marseilles in 1944 and became part of Patton’s Third Army as it moved across Germany. He was a graduate of Northeast Louisiana Junior College (ULM), Louisiana Polytechnic Institute (La Tech), and LSU. He held a BA in Social Studies Education and an MA in Education, and served as teacher, band director, coach, and principal at Mangham High School before moving to Monroe in1963 to teach history at Neville High School. After he retired from teaching in 1969, he worked for the State Health Department, screening vision in school children across north Louisiana, retiring in 1989. He was a member of the Debonnaires, a Big Band-era dance band at Louisiana Tech, and thoroughly enjoyed their reunions in recent years. He coached Little League, directed the Neville High School Tigerettes, wrote newspaper columns for the Richland Beacon, and authored a history of Mangham when he was in his eighties. Above all, he was a loving husband, father, and grandfather who exemplified the love of Christ through good times and bad. Visitation will be Sunday, 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Memorial UMC on Sherrouse Avenue. Memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, Mangham High School, or Memorial UMC.Online Registry/Condolences: www.mulhearnfuneralhome.comMulhearn Funeral HomeSterlington RoadMonroe, LA