More detail on this person: Colonel Marvin F. Pixton III (USMC Retired) passed away peacefully on Monday, January 15, 2018 at Mary Washington Hospital after suffering complications from a fall. Colonel Pixton is survived by his loving wife, Helen "Missy" Ingham Pixton, two daughters, Kimberly Pixton Millar (Scott) of Charlotte, N.C. and Julie Pixton Selby of Raleigh, N.C., two step-children, Joan Kimberly Edwards of Spotsylvania and Michael Scott Edwards (Christy) of Dallas, Texas; sister Carole Pixton Grant (Larry) of Macon, Georgia; and six grandchildren. Colonel Pixton was born March 18, 1939 in Johnson City, Tennessee. The family moved to Atlanta and Ellaville Georgia, then Gulf Shores Alabama. Upon graduating in 1957 from Foley High School in Alabama, Marv attended The Bullis School and then the University of Maryland on a track scholarship. At Maryland, he was a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity and the Atlantic Coast Conference indoor champion in the 60 yard dash and 60 yard hurdles, plus active in numerous campus organizations. Graduating from Maryland in 1963 with a bachelor of science degree, Marv received a commission as Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. Following flight school, Colonel Pixton "Rocket" distinguished himself in the Marine Corps. He flew both helicopters and jets and had combat tours in Vietnam in each type, flying 872 combat missions. He was carrier qualified in propeller, helicopter, and jet aircraft with more than 650 carrier landings. While on active duty, he earned an MBA from Pepperdine University, was a graduate of the Naval War College, served on high level staffs, and in several command positions such as executive officer of a Marine Expeditionary Unit, commanding officer of an aviation squadron, and executive officer of a Marine Aircraft Group. As squadron CO of HML 167, the squadron won the CNO Aviation Safety Award, National Defense Transportation Award, and Commandant of the Marine Corps Certificate of Commendation in 1981. In addition, he was the initial program manager of the AH-1W Super Cobra attack helicopter and saw its introduction into the active forces. After retirement from the Marine Corps, Marv distinguished himself in the business world as a program manager for various aviation programs and as a marketing and business development director. He retired from ManTech International Corporation in 2004. Through his career in military and civilian business, he prided himself in that all his programs remained within budget and on schedule. His primary military decorations include the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star with Combat V, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal and numerous Air Medals. In retirement, Marv served as President of the Colonel Fielding Lewis Chapter of the Virginia Society of the Sons of the American Revolution and Commandant of the Jack Maas Detachment 1379 of the Marine Corps League. He also served as a docent at the National Museum of the Marine Corps and on the vestry of Christ Episcopal Church in Spotsylvania. He ran as an Independent in 2006 for Virginia 1st Congressional District. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 10 at Christ Episcopal Church, Spotsylvania. Burial will be held in the summer at Arlington National Cemetery.
Burial information: Arlington National Cemetery
This information was last updated 06/20/2018
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Date posted on this site: 10/13/2025
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