It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our retired union brother, Ollie Dean Bixler, who departed this life on April 7th, 2025.
Dean dedicated nearly two decades of his career to American Airlines, joining the team in 1997 and serving with distinction until his retirement in 2015. During his time at American Airlines, Ollie worked tirelessly as an Overhaul Support Mechanic, earning the respect and admiration of his colleagues for his expertise, work ethic, and commitment to excellence.
Throughout his years of service, Dean was a proud member of our union family. His legacy extends beyond his professional accomplishments, as he touched the lives of countless coworkers, friends, and family members with his kindness, generosity, and warm spirit.
We take a moment to pause and reflect on Dean’s life, remembering his dedication, his passion for his work, and his unwavering commitment to our union principles. We offer our deepest condolences to Ollie’s loved ones, who will deeply feel his loss, and we hope that they find comfort in the memories of his remarkable life and career.
Rest in peace, Brother Dean. Your memory will be cherished, and your contributions to our union family will never be forgotten.
Ollie Dean Bixler of Huntsville, AR
February 10, 1952 – April 7, 2025
Ollie Dean Bixler, age 73, of Huntsville, Arkansas, passed away on April 7, 2025, at Countryside Assisted Living and Memory Care in Huntsville, after a brave battle with Alzhemier’s disease. Dean was born on February 10, 1952, in Marshall, Arkansas to Myrtle Parks and Ollie Bixler. He was raised by his mom and his ”Pop” Charles Greiner in Long Beach, California and later moving to Covina, California. Dean graduated from Gladstone High School in Covina in 1970. He was married to Lurea Sperry for 18 years before her passing in 2019.
Dean enjoyed sports and following the Razorbacks; he excelled at track in his youth, breaking school records. He enjoyed coaching youth sports, especially his son’s teams. Martial arts were one of his passions and he earned a black belt in karate, he was an avid weightlifter and body builder. Dean worked at Inter-community Hospital, in Covina, California and PHI Hydraulics, in Pasadena, California. He went on to start up his own business, owning and operating Bixler’s Juice Distributing in southern California, a business he was very proud of. In 1983 he moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota and then to Tulsa, Oklahoma. He worked for American Airlines in Tulsa with the ground/shop crew for over 23 years before his retirement. Dean had a love for animals and had many special fur babies throughout his life, all were extremely spoiled. He was a faithful parishioner at Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Tulsa. In 2022, he moved to Northwest Arkansas to be close to his sister and family, after his health started to decline. The family would like to thank the staff at Countryside Assisted Living and Memory Care for their dedicated care, love and support for Ollie Dean, he loved them all.
Dean is survived by one sister, Barbara Smith (James) of Fayetteville; one brother Jack Bixler (Debbie) of Bergman; a sister-in-law, Mikelyn Bixler of Marshall; one son, Josh Bixler (Renae) of Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Josh’s mom, Mary; one daughter, DeAnna Lawson (Paul) of Tulsa, Oklahoma; two grandchildren, Alexander and Evelyn Bixler, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; his best friend, Mike Viotto of Carmel, Indiana; and many family members who will mourn his passing.
He is preceded in death by his parents and his pop; his grandparents; his wife Lurea; siblings, Audie Bixler, Wayne Bixler and Kathy Henderson; a niece, Jessica Bixler Riggi; and a nephew, Jeff Bixler.
No services are planned, as per his wishes. He will be laid to rest in Marshall Memorial Gardens, Marshall, AR. Arrangements are by Roller Coffman Funeral Home of Marshall.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to a local humane society or the Alzheimer’s Foundation to help find a cure.