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If there was ever a reason to get out to the shows and participate, then here was a good one. This Dixie was the 25th anniversary and Chip and the crew planned a special evening. It was Thursday evening and started with the best eating you could get for any money, but it was free. The menu was a shrimp boil, gallons of shrimp mixed with potatoes, onions, sausage and who knows what else along with hush puppies, cole slaw, ice tea and for desert, ice cream and peach, apple or berry cobbler.

After dinner Wayne Henderson put on a slide show and told the story how Dixie started 25 years ago with only 17 people in attendance, mostly vending cans and evolved into one of the best shows on earth for many reasons.

Next Wayne put on a very moving tribute to the collectors that we have recently lost. You have to understand the setting to get the full effect. An evening outside under the trees with a sheet tacked up on the wall of one of the buildings for a projector screen. Your setting with fellow collectors telling stories, enjoying the fellowship, this is what going to the shows is all about.

You cannot imagine my surprise when I saw my friend Deryl's name appear on the screen (Deryl was supposed to me with me this trip), that was a special moment and I could not thank Wayne enough for remembering him. I sent this picture to his family so they knew he was missed, it meant a lot to them....Thanks again Wayne and Chip and family for all you do. We also donated some money so Chip can start a memorial plaque with the names of fellow collectors that pass on.
Tom.

Tom, As you know, since I had a pressing matter to attend to on Friday, I had to leave at noon, on Thursday. Chip always goes out of his way to make the shows an easy and memorable experience for the vendors. I have made so many close friends through the shows, with whom I remain in contact during the year. Shows are an absolute must for anyone who is serious about this stuff. When you get to visit with friends in a beautiful setting....it doesn't get much nicer. I'm so sorry that I missed the dinner and presentation. Maybe next time? Thanks Chip and Family for all that you do. Paul www.severngaspumps.com

Chip had asked me a year ago to come up with some sort of presentation in honor of the 25th year of the show. I decided that telling the story (the concept for Dixie Gas was created on the return trip from the first ever Columbus show in 1989) and showing some photos from early years would be appropriate. Relatively late we decided to do the tribute to collectors and friends who had passed, and in my opinion it came the most relevant part of the presentation. Last week we decided that we would keep the list up, and from time to time remember those who've gone on to their reward, and to create a permanent memorial plaque, displayed in one of the buildings on the grounds at Dixie Gas, to which any collector's name would be added in their memory. So that we don't miss anyone, please post the name and hometown of any collector who has died, other than those that appear on the list below that were part of Thursday night's tribute. If you can add hometown names to the several that are missing below, that would be appreciated, as well.
The actual powerpoint slideshow is a very large file, but if someone can tell me how to do it, I will post it (or a link to it, of some sort) here on oldgas.com and let everyone see it.

WH/

Chris Barnes Louisiana
Dick Bennett Santa Paula, CA
Kenny Black Louisville, KY
Bob Burbage South Carolina
Art Childers Evansville, IN
Boyd Church Richlands, VA
Deryl Chew Knightstown, IN
Bill Crain Medina, OH
Ray Day Indiana
Shorty Denton Morristown, TN
John Donahue Mt. Clemmons, MI
Mel Egbert Cincinnati, OH
Glen Gaines Louisville, KY
Pat Gilley Sylvania, OH
Wendell Groff Albequerque, NM
Dan Harris Putnam Station, NY
David Huddleston Louisville, KY
Irv Kane Missoula, MT
Cliff Lauten Greensboro, NC
Rick Lewis Knoxville, TN
Jack Lovegrove Swords Creek, MI
Earl Ma Honolulu, HI
Bob Macmeccan Hampton, VA
Tom Martin Manhattan Beach, CA
Jim Masson Shawnee Mission, KS
Jim Mattson Valley Glen, CA
Robert McVey Savannah, GA
Jack Mendenhall Buellton, CA
Alvin Mielke Swanville, MN
Bruce Miller Lawrenceville, IN
Bill Montigill Riverside, CA
Kyle Moore Cordell, OK
Fred Munns Augusta, GA
Mike O'Hern Taylor Ridge, IL
Dave Parr Indiana
Jeff Pederson Seattle, WA
L.F. Perry Georgia
Pat Quail Bettendorf, IA
Ed Schwartz Deerfield, IL
Luke and Jean Sconyers Ashburn, GA
Patrick and Barbara Shimmin Temple City, CA
Kevin Stephens Alabama
Stan Thomas Salisbury, PA
Bill Walsner Lancaster, CA
Tom Whitlatch Ohio
Charlie Whitworth Jeffersonville, IN
Wayne Woodrum New Carlisle, Ohio
John Wright Mt. Vernon, OH

Please add Ron Baker , Palmer, MA
Chris Holt, Mich.

I think this is a great idea-
I recognize 3 names on the
list that I didn't know about,
hope list is kept up to date-
could this list have a icon for oldgas
members too bring up anytime they wanted?
a good informant...

please add Nick Moore, Easley,SC

Ron Bakers hometown should be West Warren MA

This is a great tribute your planning.

dave parr was from terra haute, IN

Great tribute to those great people.

Great idea.

Please add Wes Nilson Laporte, Indiana
He attended this show from the beginning.
I started going with him in 2004 and was amazed at the oddball, uncommon and Quality stuff that flows into and out of this show
Not the largest show BUT ALWAYS a fantastic time with great people and excellent sales!
Sorry I missed it this year....

Thanks guys. The names are being added to the list. Watch PCM for more about this, and for follow ups all along. Side note to Jim - how about somewhere on oldgas.com for us to post the memorial list and keep it updated.

WH/