Jack D. Nixon
1932-2018
Tarkio, Missouri

Jack Doyle Nixon passed away, after a lengthy illness, at Tarkio Rehab on Tuesday, January 16, 2018, at the age of 85 years. Jack was born on April 12, 1932, in Conway, Iowa, the fourth child of George L. and Cordice M.(Mason) Nixon. He was proud to announce that he came from the “Mason-Nixon Line.” He attended Conway and Leon schools in Iowa, graduating from Leon High School in 1951. Upon graduation, Jack enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he served during the Korean Conflict as an electrician aboard his home ship, the Harry E. Hubbard destroyer. He was discharged at San Francisco, California, in February 1956. Shortly thereafter, Jack joined his brother Ted Nixon in their businesses, Nixon Brothers Amusement and Tarkio Vendo, which they operated for nearly thirty years. In addition they opened the Corral Arcade, a local fun spot and eatery in Tarkio, Missouri, during the 1980s. Later, Jack worked for Tarkio College and Northwest Missouri Industries. In 1972, Jack was united in marriage to Judi Weston-McIntyre at Tarkio. Jack, Judi and her son Todd resided in Tarkio; they were members of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at Mound City. Jack couldn’t be prouder of his stepson, when Todd followed in his footsteps and joined the Navy.

Jack and Judi divorced in 1987. Soon after this, an amazing, happy, and surprising event occurred in Jack’s life. He connected with his then 24 year-old biological daughter Sheila Graves for the first time. Jack and Sheila would share many joyful and rewarding times together in the ensuing years. They traveled together enjoying each other’s company while getting better acquainted with each other. It was also during these years that Jack cared for his brother Ted during Ted’s illness and death in 1993. Jack was a member of the American Legion Post #199 in Tarkio, Missouri, and was honored for 50 years of membership in 2005.

He loved his sports! When he wasn’t rooting for Tarkio HS Indians and Tarkio College Owls, he was cheering NWMSU, the mighty Missouri Tigers, the KC Royals, and his beloved Kansas City Chiefs. In fact, Jack and Ted received the Athletic Booster of the Year award from Tarkio College. If he couldn’t watch sports on TV, just give him a radio and he was as content as could be. Jack also had a passion for fishing, he enjoyed going out on the water whenever possible. He had very fond memories of fishing in Brainerd, Minnesota, with his daughter, and he especially got a kick out of the Minnesota accents and the Ole, Sven and Lena jokes, “ya sure ya betcha.” Additionally, he was grateful for his friend, Paul Lester, who took him fishing after his debilitating stroke. Jack logged many hours on his computer and spent all of his spare time creating greeting cards for every occasion and sending funny stories and pictures. Jack was the family comedian. We loved his sense of humor and he enjoyed seeing people laugh and smile. Jack used to call the Tarkio sewage pond the “Lake LottaHockey.” He was always in a good mood. Jack was a very kind and tender-hearted, caring man who would brighten up any room. He had numerous friends because he lived his life by the motto: “You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.” To know Jack was to like Jack, he never met a person who didn’t like him.

Preceding Jack’s death are his mother and father, brothers, George (Lyla) Nixon and Ted (Marilyn) Nixon, sister, Phyllis (James) Reeder, niece, Niki (Evaristo) Dominguez, nephew, Ron (MyAnh) Nixon and his beloved dogs Cuddles and Snoopy.

Jack is survived by his daughter, Sheila Graves, Kingsley, Iowa; stepson, Todd (Karla) McIntyre, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; nieces, Beverly Smith, Bellevue, Nebraska, Paula (Kurt) Dixon, Decatur, Alabama, Kathy (Wesley) Holland, Somerville, Alabama, and Janet (Owen) Peters, Fairfax, Missouri; nephews, Brad Nixon, Bellevue, Nebraska, and George (Leah) Nixon, Littleton, Colorado; two step-grandsons; a step-granddaughter; and several grand nieces and nephews, in addition to countless loving friends.

As a family, we will miss Jack’s humor and personality. We all can take a lesson by how he lived his life being a kind, generous person who was always willing to lend a helping hand or be a personal caretaker for his mother and brother. Please feel free to share your memories of Jack with us. No memory is too short or too long. We thank you for being a part of Jack’s well-lived life.

Memorial Service: 11:00 A.M., Saturday, January 20, 2018, Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio.
Inurnment: Home Cemetery, Tarkio.
The family will receive friends from 10:00-11:00 A.M., Saturday, at Davis Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials directed to the humane society or any animal rescue.
Online obituaries and condolences www.minterfuneralchapels.com
Services under the direction of Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio.