This paper presents an analysis of the extensive pre-explosion infrared observations of the red supergiant (RSG) progenitor candidate for the core-collapse supernova SN 2023ixf in Messier 101, combined with optical data from the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). The authors confirm the association between the progenitor candidate and the supernova (SN), constrain the metallicity at the SN site, and confirm the internal host extinction to the SN using a high-resolution Keck spectrum. They fit the observed spectral energy distribution (SED) of the star, accounting for its intrinsic variability, with dust radiative-transfer modeling, assuming a silicate-rich dust shell ahead of the stellar photosphere. The star is heavily obscured by dust, making it the dustiest progenitor candidate yet encountered. The median estimates of the star's effective temperature and luminosity are 2770 K and 9.0 × 10^4 L⊙, respectively, with 68% credible intervals of 2340–3150 K and (7.5–10.9) × 10^4 L⊙. The candidate may have a Galactic RSG analog, IRC −10414, with a similar SED and luminosity. Using single-star evolutionary models, they constrain the initial mass of the progenitor candidate to be between 12 M⊙ and 14 M⊙. The authors also discuss the properties of the progenitor candidate, including its variability, distance, reddening, and metallicity, providing a comprehensive assessment of the SN 2023ixf progenitor.This paper presents an analysis of the extensive pre-explosion infrared observations of the red supergiant (RSG) progenitor candidate for the core-collapse supernova SN 2023ixf in Messier 101, combined with optical data from the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). The authors confirm the association between the progenitor candidate and the supernova (SN), constrain the metallicity at the SN site, and confirm the internal host extinction to the SN using a high-resolution Keck spectrum. They fit the observed spectral energy distribution (SED) of the star, accounting for its intrinsic variability, with dust radiative-transfer modeling, assuming a silicate-rich dust shell ahead of the stellar photosphere. The star is heavily obscured by dust, making it the dustiest progenitor candidate yet encountered. The median estimates of the star's effective temperature and luminosity are 2770 K and 9.0 × 10^4 L⊙, respectively, with 68% credible intervals of 2340–3150 K and (7.5–10.9) × 10^4 L⊙. The candidate may have a Galactic RSG analog, IRC −10414, with a similar SED and luminosity. Using single-star evolutionary models, they constrain the initial mass of the progenitor candidate to be between 12 M⊙ and 14 M⊙. The authors also discuss the properties of the progenitor candidate, including its variability, distance, reddening, and metallicity, providing a comprehensive assessment of the SN 2023ixf progenitor.