Ernest Nix

LOGANSPORT, LA--Ernest Lamar Nix finished his work on earth on August 4, 2017. There will be a memorial service to celebrate him and his life on Sunday, August 6, 2017, at 3:30 pm, at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church in Stanley, Louisiana, with burial to follow at the Mt. Olivet cemetery. There will be a time of visitation and reminiscence at Mt. Olivet beginning at 2:00 pm, prior to the memorial service. Ernest Lamar Nix was known by many names to those who knew and loved him. He was born on October 23, 1926, and was "Son" to James Billington Nix and Mattie Bell Webb Nix. He was "Brother" to James Nix, Iva Nix Waldrip, Reba Nix Hansen, Rita Nix Stotts, and Douglas Nix, all of whom have predeceased him. He was "Son-In-Law", but truly much more, to Walter and Pearl Golden, who loved him as their own. He was known as "Sailor" to all of those brave men and women with whom he served in the United States Navy during World War II, and after his discharge from the Navy on December 22, 1947, he was known as "Veteran." Beginning on February 4, 1946, and for over 71 years, he was "Husband" and more often "Honey" to Ruby Golden Nix, whom he most often called "Baby." He was "Daddy" to LaMerle Nix Baker and Yancie Baker, her husband; to Beth Nix Sandidge, and to Nicky Nix and Donna, his wife. He was "Pop" to six grandchildren: Rowdy, and his wife, Kyria; Holly, and her husband Scott; Mark, and his wife Tracy; Michael, and his wife Jennifer; Justin and his wife, Alison; and Dylan; to eleven great grandchildren: Dalton, and his wife Rebecca; Tana, and her husband Alan; Ethan, and his wife Becca; Caleb, Alli, Katy, Jazmine, JT, Austin, Zazie and Margot; and two great, great grandchildren: Yance and Levi. He was "Uncle Lamar" to a large number of nephews and nieces who loved him. He was generally known as "Lamar" or as simply "Nix" to his customers during his long career as owner/operator of Nix Auto Service first in Logansport and later in Stanley. He was "Mr. Nix" to the hundreds of school children who rode his school bus to Stanley High School, and on field trips and to ball games. He was "Fireman," and for a time "Chief" to those he served beside for over 60 years as a volunteer fireman at Logansport and Stanley. He was "Christian" from an early age to all that knew him, and later "Deacon" to the members of Magnolia Baptist Church and Mt. Olivet Baptist Church. To those in the Stanley and Logansport communities outside of his family, he was generally known as "Mr. Nix." What seemed to be a more formal name was not formal at all. He was "Mr. Nix" partially because of his age, but more out of the deep sense of respect and gratitude they felt towards him. For many years, he was the person always there when anyone needed help-any kind of help. He was the first one to respond to a fire call, or an emergency medical call. He was there when there was a death, or an accident or a sickness, or just when someone needed a ride or a kind word. He was good at helping people. He seemed to always know what to do or what to say. Everyone knew that he was dependable. But most of all, they knew he really cared about them. During the last few days of his life, as many came to visit or contacted the family to offer their support, a simple statement of description was offered so often: "He was a good man." A simple phrase that might not seem significant. But when offered with heartfelt admiration, gratitude, appreciation and love for all he had done for them throughout the years, the name "A Good Man" was the badge of a most successful life. A life that was lived according to the words of Mark 12:30-31 when Jesus, describing the greatest commandment, said: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." The life lived by Lamar Nix was an example of those commandments. Giving special service to Mr. Nix at his memorial service will be his son, Nicky, and John Harp who will share thoughts and memories; Rowdy Baker, Scott Gibbs, Mark Armstrong, Michael Armstrong, Tommy Houston and David Caston serving as pall bearers with Justin Nix and Dylan Nix and the firefighters of DeSoto Fire District 1 (Logansport) and DeSoto Fire District 5 (Stanley) as honorary pall bearers; and Caleb Gibbs, playing Taps at the close of the graveside service. Friends wishing to honor Mr. Nix may do so through gifts to St. Jude's, to their local church or by giving to someone less fortunate who is in need of help.