Obituary of John P. Nixon

Kathleen, GA: John P. Nixon, 92, passed away Tuesday, October 6, 2009, at the Houston Medical Center. Services will be at 11:00 AM Saturday in the chapel of Heritage Memorial Funeral Home with burial in Parkway Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be from 6 until 8 PM Friday at the funeral home. Dr. Jimmy Asbell, Jr. will officiate. Mr. Nixon was born in Tishomingo County, MS. He was the son of the late Oscar and Johnnie Bell Nixon. He was also preceded in death by his wives, Iris Tozer Nixon and Nellie Hendon Nixon and four brothers and one sister. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corp. in 1937 and retired as a Major in 1955. While in the Marines, Mr. Nixon served overseas in Puerto Rico, Cuba, Iceland, the South Pacific, Japan and Alaska. During World II he served in the South Pacific Islands of Tarawa, Saipan, Okinawa and Tinian in the 2nd Marine Division. During his service time he was awarded the Purple Heart, the European Ribbon, the Asia Ribbon with 4 Stars, the Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon and the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal. He served his country proudly. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, the Warner Robins Lions Club, Elks Club and the VFW. Mr. Nixon was a graduate of the Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University and practiced law in Houston County, Georgia for fifty years. He and his son practiced law together in Warner Robins, Ga. He was a past president of the Houston County Bar Association and past president of the Warner Robins and Georgia Retired Officers Association. Survivors include his son Jon A. Pat Nixon of Bonaire, daughters Gayle Wendell Keeling of Athens, Martha King Baker of Summit, MS, Peggie Monett Moak of Bogue Chitto, MS, nine grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Heart of Georgia Hospice @ 103 Westridge Dr., Warner Robins, GA, 31088 or First Methodist Church, 205 N Davis Dr, Warner Robins, Ga. 31093. Heritage Memorial Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.