Donald Merwin Nixon passed away at the age of 79 on Sept. 8, 2015 in the loving company of his family. He was born in Topeka, Kansas, the oldest of four children to Merwin and Virginia Nixon of Eureka, Kansas.
Donald grew up on a dairy farm and learned early in life the value of hard work. After finishing his chores, he enjoyed playing practical jokes on his siblings. Although he contracted polio at age 16, he worked to put himself through school at Denver University and Colorado State University earning a B.S., M.S. & a PhD. His first professional job was at Texas A&M (formerly A&I) in Kingsville as a professor of AgriBusiness. During his tenure, he taught forty-seven different classes, developed thirty-five new courses, and was Graduate Coordinator for the College of Agriculture and Home Economics. He also developed the entire AgriBusiness degree program. During his tenure, he was Teacher of the Year and was awarded Professor Emeritus in 2009. He was loved and esteemed by his students who kept in contact with him for many years. He was well known for wearing his designer overalls to the annual ATA Achievement Banquet. His students always looked forward to seeing the crazy designs or fabrics he would be wearing. His academic career spanned thirty seven years.
In his spare time Donald enjoyed woodworking, construction, car repair, reading and boating with his family. Even though he was constantly maintaining the family vehicles, inevitably during the family's yearly summer trip to Kansas the car chosen would break down. He loved being "Poppy" to his three grandchildren, Marissa & Brian Konde and Jake Nix. The grandchildren have fond memories of celebrating New Years Eve, learning to drive a riding lawn mower and cinnamon rolls at IHop.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Irene Nixon of Kyle, his siblings Gaylon Nixon, Richard Nixon, and Janis Smith; his children, Melodee Konde and her husband Bill of Austin, Dawnita Nix of Austin, Andrew Nixon of Copperas Cove, "adopted" daughter Grace Kizer of Houston and three grandchildren Marissa, Brian & Jake.
The memorial service will be held at the Kyle United Methodist Church, 408 W. Lockhart Street, Kyle, Texas, on Saturday September 12, 20115 at 3:00 p.m. with a reception to follow.
