As the venue filled for the celebration, hugs and heartfelt expressions ran the whole evening long from the approximate 80 plus attendees, some driving-in from well outside the city, and others even from outside the state, given that Mr. Dixon was involved with several school systems in Mississippi, Walton County Georgia, and Dekalb County Georgia during his career. One former colleague visiting Atlanta on other business remained in the city some four days further upon learning of the gathering through friends, all for sake of wanting to be present to express appreciation. A celebration idea long intended, the timing finally fell symbolically in sync with all else, as a “pat” for good luck was all that was needed, and in this case three, between organizers Pat Green, Pat Guthrie, and Pat Morris, each of them personally carrying the idea to present a celebration for Mr. Dixon around with them for years. By happenstance, or perhaps from something more, each ran into the other on chance meetings, sharing their intentions with the other, and thus the idea became reality.