Kirby Joseph Dixon

Kirby Joseph Dixon

“The Warrior”

Kirby, 27, of East Alton, Illinois bravely entered the Kingdom of Heaven on September 18th, 2025, at 1:18 a.m. surrounded by family and friends in his home after a courageous 15-month battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer.

He was born on September 18, 1998 at 4:31 p.m. in Alton, Illinois to Michael and Myla (Levi) Dixon as the 5th of their 13 children. Kirby is a member of The Block Church in East Alton and was active on the worship team, as well as the demolition team some months back during the remodel of the church interior. Although not a preachy man, he lived his life to follow the Lord.

Kirby was a huge family man, and loved going anywhere or doing anything that involved his family. He had a deep love for his nephews and nieces and dreamed of being a father one day himself. Kirby always put others before himself; through his whole battle, he was so selfless and always made sure his family was okay. He was our steady comfort in everyday life and was always ready to take on any role that was needed. During the past 15 months, Kirby never lost his sense of humor and could make you laugh so hard you would pee your pants.

Kirby was homeschooled, received a diploma from Penn Foster Academy and worked for his family’s cleaning business from the time he was old enough. Later, he worked with his brother-in-law where he welded trailer chassis after receiving his Welder’s certification in welding from Lewis and Clark Community College. He worked as a union painter with his brother Keaten - no one had a steadier hand than Kirby. He worked with his brother for a moving company before deciding that was something he wanted to pursue further. Our family was beyond proud when Kirby and Keaten, fulfilled their dream and founded Ninja Moving LLC in 2022. Keaten will continue to honor his brother and take their company to new heights.

Kirby was highlighted by his endless talents, hobbies, and enjoyment through life and showed it. If there was music, Kirby was dancing – solo, or two – stepping with his brother. As a lover of music, he had a preference to Christian music. His favorite artist being Brandon Lake and favorite song being The Lord’s Prayer (It’s Yours) by Matt Maher. Kirby shared his passion of Tae Kwon Do with many of his siblings, he along with two brothers have received 1st degree black belts at Piasa Martial Arts. He was an amazing ball player, with his favorite position being shortstop. He enjoyed playing catch with his brothers and nephews and was always critiquing and giving advice on how to improve. He enjoyed going to the ball diamonds to cheer them on. He also enjoyed to go bowling, always trying to better himself. He would go to Eastgate plaza to hit the ice, to show off his ice-skating moves. He shared a love for hockey with his brothers, either watching on tv or in person. He was an avid Marvel fan, and he especially loved Thor. He has seen every movie, owns memorabilia, and has cosplayed. When he wanted to relax, you would catch him with a Marvel comic, or even the occasional Marvel Adult coloring book.

In Kirby’s 15-month battle, he underwent four brain surgeries, thirty sessions of radiation, two clinical studies, countless hospital stays, two brain swells, inpatient physical therapy, visits with a homeopathic doctor, and visits with a biological doctor. The second clinical study, Kirby put his life on the line for all of humanity to try and get a cure for this ugly disease. He was approached by a team of doctors for a study that was curing glioblastoma in lab rats. Kirby was the first and only human who had a port inserted under the skin of his head to have natural killer cells directly injected into his brain to kill the cancerous cells. In May, he suffered a brain swell that caused him to lose so much of his left side function, he regained most of it as swelling went down. On July 8th he suffered another brain swell causing him to lose complete function of his left side extremities. That time came with a three-week hospital stay with inpatient physical therapy to help regain his left side function. Sadly, he never regained all of it the second time, but remained positive even with all his struggles. Kirby was even able to help people in death since he was a tissue donor. He was able to donate his corneas, an arm and leg bone, ligaments, tendons, adipose tissue, and skin to anyone in need. Over this battle his anthem was Hard Fought Hallelujah by Brandon Lake. “Not all superheroes wear capes, some wear a helmet and walk with a cane” his family and anyone who knew Kirby, knew there isn’t a more accurate statement.

Kirby is survived by his parents, Michael and Myla; his five sisters, Darcy Wilson (Daniel), Malea, Livyanna, Leena Dixon – Lewis (Riley), and Daylian; his seven brothers, Michael, Joel (Keeri), Keaten, Jayden, Carsen, Cotter, and Tucker; 6 nephews and 2 nieces (Eli, Emmett, Danny, Xzadin, Mercury, Winry, Tauren, and Magdelene); his lifelong friend and brother Tim Donahue; maternal grandparents Bill and Margie Levi; family friend Josh Nation. He is preceded in death by three siblings born into Heaven, paternal grandparents Clarence and Janet Dixon, and many other family members.

Kirby’s name means Church village and as many witnessed at the end of his life, it wasn’t a building, but the people who were drawn to him. Through this whole journey Kirby’s faith in God never wavered. He absolutely had the faith of a mustard seed. I hope in reading this, people can see and never forget that Kirby is and always will be the life of the party. There is no strong like Kirby strong. Kirby’s unique personality and life will be forever loved and missed by those who were closest to him.

Kirby’s Celebration of Life will be at The Block Church 166 East Airline Drive, East Alton, Illinois 62024 from 3 – 7 p.m. on October 11th.

Memorials can be made to Pitchford Funeral Home where they will be disbursed to The Block Church and World Vision.