I wish to extend my deepest sympathy to Cheryl and Jeffrey. People come into our lives sometimes for just a moment, but change our lives forever. John was such a person. I will always remember his positive attitude, sense of humor, and willingness to help. I will miss him.

John was a wonderful, stable co-worker. He always was willing to help and never had a complaint. I will miss his quiet, quick wit and lunch-time walks along the river. God blessed us with his life here on Earth.

Cheryl and Jeff… first let me express my deepest and most sincere sympathy to you both. Although quiet, John was a kind and gentle man and touched the hearts of many. I feel honored to have had the opportunity to meet and become a good friend of Johns. We shared many thoughts, philosophies, religion, stories, jokes and laughter thoughout our 22 years of friendship. John was a very sincere person who was not afraid to speakout about anything and it was because of this that I felt a special bond with John. I will truly miss him as will thousands of his other close friends. Many times John and I discussed dying and just what life after death would be like. As I was sitting in the chappel at Johns Memorial service I heard John’s voice saying, “this was not bad Ralph…..it’s pretty cool here” Rest in peace my friend. I love you!

We were blessed to have John for our neighbor in this new West Richland neighborhood. John was the kind of neighbor everyone finds easy to have–always there if we needed him–as in rides to work, or borrow his truck–but he otherwise kept a low profile. He was very kind to our 2 black labs. We will miss him and pledge Cheryl and Jeff our prayers, sympathy, and readiness to do whatever it is that good neighbors everywhere do for one another.

Few profess to have met the real “Tugboat Annie”. Because of John Howard Nixon, we count ourselves as two of the chosen few.

Labor Day weekend of 1973, my husband, Joe, and I decided a vacation was long overdue. Some of our single friends were going to New Orleans, so we decided to tag along. Depositing our two daughters with grandparents, we struck out. I, six months pregnant with our only son now 27 naively thought, “New Orleans: museums, parks, vintage clothing, haute cuisine!”

What I GOT, was the Mousetrap, the Cave and Casey’s Lounge.

We were very young and very poor. We had saved our money and were excited to be in an exotic city. Had we known we would be sharing it with several of our friends and THEIR friends, this story would have a decidedly different outcome.

Long story short: it wasn’t the cultural experience I thought it would be-but I met some of the most memorable characters I would ever meet in this life; among them, Tug Boat Annie, to whom I was introduced by John Nixon. Did I mention John Holmer? Need I? It’s like mentioning Butch Cassidy without the Sundance Kid . . . life can never be the same after knowing these two!

I was blessed enough to know John before he had a family-and after. Cheryl and Jeffrey could only make a good man better . . .

when I think John Nixon, it makes me feel young; it makes me think of New Orleans; it makes me laugh . . .

God bless you John Nixon.

I first knew John as a student of the University of Alabama. We had many a late night session discussing Alabama football and I will always treasure those memories. John’s wit and wisdom always seemed to entertain me. Just to imagine his greeting, “what’s up lad?” stills makes me smile. After graduation we both went to work for Rust Engineering and spent many a lunch hour together. My younger brother, Alan and John’s younger brother, Jerry have always been best friends and although John and I were never best friends there was a sense of family between our two families. My thoughts and prayers will be with the family.

My family and I wish to extend our sincere sympathies to Cheryl and Jeffrey. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. I have so many fond memories of John. I spent a great deal of time with John during my first year at the University of Alabama where he readily accepted me into his circle of friends, most of whom were upperclassmen such as John. They were always kind to include a freshman in their activities, and all of them made me feel welcome and accepted. A few years later, I spent quite a bit of time with John one summer. I know John through his brother Jerry, who is my age. This particular summer Jerry was teaching at a tennis camp in Hawaii so John and I had the opportunity to get to know each other better. He had such a quick sense of humor with a great dry wit. John was always pleasant and seemed to never have anything bad to say about others. I will miss him.

Dear Cheryl and Jeff,

I thank you from the bottom of my heart for letting me share however short it was, a part of John’s life. He was an amazing person, full of life, kindness and could not talk enough about his family and cats. I know it is said that everything has a purpose and reason. Maybe we don’t understand why John who was such a loving person was taken away so soon. What I will remember will be his laugh, his willingness to help no matter how busy he was. Cheryl I’m so glad that I was able to spend time with your family and John this past month. I feel that connection would have happened no matter what. Remember when times get rough, all the happy times that you, John, and Jeff shared, they can never be forgotten.

I love you both,

Maria

Hi Padsey,

I can’t believe you have been gone for almost 11 years. I still think about you every day. My heart broke the day you left me and it has never mended. You have missed so much. Our beautiful son is now married and a Pilot in the Air Force – you would be so proud. I did re-marry a very nice man and I think you would like him, but you did something to my heart and soul that can not be duplicated. I will love you forever and can’t wait to see you in Heaven.

xoxoxoxo Cheryl

Our family’s thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of great sorrow

Dale, Vicki & Evan Long