John Fred Nixon

John was born July 31, 1928 to the parents of Hoary Harper and Bertha Elizabeth Nixon in Elliott, Texas (he always said Elliott was otherwise known as “Bug Scuffle” because it was the local pastime on Saturdays to watch the tumble bugs scuffle on the croquet court when all the work in the fields was done). He passed away at home, peacefully, on January 9, 2023.

He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Paul and George Nixon and his sister, Frankie Mayes Breitenkamp. He is survived by his wife of 73 years, Billie Doris (White) Nixon, daughter Gail Mohler and her husband Don of Leander, their children Jeremy (Keri) and four children, Marinda Katz (Ethan) and her daughter Lily Mohler, and Jonathan Mohler, daughter Deborah Dixon and husband Jerry of Albuquerque, NM, and their children Lauren Riley (Rustin) and their son Beau, and Evan Dixon, and son John Alan Nixon of Austin and his children Billie Florence Louis Nixon and John William Anton Nixon.

John met Billie Doris in 1949 in Seymour, Texas while working for the Highway Department as a surveyor in the summer. Upon discovering that she also attended Texas Technological College, John pursued her with vigor, and they were married December 28, 1949, then lived in the couples dormitory at Texas Tech until he graduated in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering.

John spent 34 years working for the Texas Highway Department, starting in Munday, Texas and then moving to Austin in 1954 to work in the Road Design Division. He later served as head of Research Engineering in Austin, for all of Texas. He facilitated many projects to make it safer to travel on Texas highways. After retiring from the Highway Department in 1983, John worked as a consultant for 4 years with Austin Research Engineers. He then started Nixon Engineering, doing a variety of contractor work including traffic counting, traffic control, bridge repairs and crack sealing.

John Nixon was a man of many interests. In addition to his engineering profession, he was a fix-it-yourself kind of guy – keeping all the cars running as well as farming and ranching. He loved playing tennis and softball, gardening, caring for a variety of animals, hunting, traveling, and was a great role model for his family and co-workers. At 83-years of age he was brokering hay from his easy chair at home on the Hay Hot-line. Two years later he was in charge of a preventative maintenance job in east Texas where he ended up buying the historic Gingerbread House in Cherino.

John was a member of Memorial United Methodist Church for almost 60 years, and was always faithful with his prayers, presence, gifts, and service. He particularly enjoyed teaching Sunday school class.

His family wants to thank those who have given so much to help John enjoy life these last few years, and especially Khady Djiba and Brie Ramirez, along with friends at Juniper Village at Spicewood Summit.

Visitation will be on Thursday, January 12 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Cook-Walden Funeral Home (6100 N. Lamar Blvd, Austin). A celebration of John’s life will be held on Friday, January 13, at Memorial United Methodist Church (6100 Berkman Drive, Austin). Light snacks will be served at 10:00 a.m. in the Parlor. The service will begin at 11:00 a.m. followed by a graveside service at Austin Memorial Park Cemetery (2800 Hancock Drive, Austin), beginning at 2:00 p.m. He would be honored to have contributions made in his memory to Memorial UMC, Texas Tech University Civil Engineering Scholarship Fund or your preferred charity.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.cookwaldenfuneralhome.com for the Nixon family.