Davis Elijah Nix Jr.

He graduated from Six Mile High School in SC. He then joined the Navy, training at the US Navy Training Center in San Diego, California in 1952. He worked in communications and was honorably discharged Jan 21, 1957.

He began a career with Western Union which brought him to work in Miami, Florida. On a beach there he met his wife to be (Barbara Gast). After some time, they married at the Justice of the Peace (December 20, 1957). A job transfer moved them to Fort Lauderdale, Florida where they owned a home and started a family. After the birth of their third child (1964), he had the opportunity to move back to SC where parents, brothers, and lots of other family lived. After a few short moves settled into a home in West Columbia, SC.

Several years later, the family grew larger with another child being born. Four children total (2 boys and 2 girls) filled their lives, in his words with a lot of love. During this time, the Male figure usually was the sole provider and the wife worked to care for the children and home.

Both of our parents had a strong commitment to being faithful in the Catholic church. We attended and supported Saint Peters Catholic Church (The Basilica of Saint Peter).

Polaroid cameras/photography was an enjoyable hobby, and we have the many pictures that captured moments of his time in the Navy during the Korean wartime, family everyday home life, birthdays, holidays and many other occasions. After cameras must have worn out, we start seeing the studio pictures posed with all the family.

Back to SC, we had many weekend driving trips from Columbia, SC to upstate areas like Greenville, Pickens and Easley. His Mom made from scratch biscuits like no other to this day. They were cherished with meals, and requested for every ride back home. An entire reused bread loaf bag with biscuits would start the journey, but not one would be able to make the completed ride home. His family roots were in farming, and he continued to keep a home garden for most of his life. Dad spent time with us. He was a rock to help balance all our interests (baseball, music, school projects, gardening, basic car/home care knowledge).

Our parents were frugal, responsible and helped plan for our after high school educations. His financial decisions still support us today. After 25 years of service, he retired from Western Union and worked at another communications job with GTE for several years.

At different times, various family members needed to move back home to live and this was provided.

After 61 years of marriage, his wife died (2019). Mom had numerous health issues throughout her life, but for over 20 years he was the main support for Mom surviving breast cancer treatments. He logged each trip to doctor appointments, chemotherapy, radiation, trips to the pharmacy and surgery recovery.

Always concerned when we were out of town, and anxious to hear via phone a call that we made it safely back home was a common ritual. His constant positive presence in our lives will be missed.

This family was far from perfect. We made mistakes, had arguments, disagreements, misbehavior and punishments, but these same children matured to successfully raise families of their own, and still growing.

Health was not on his side until later in his life, but these four children rallied to care for him his last years of need, until his last day.

He is survived by his children, Theresa Bostrom (Steve), Tom Nix (Heather), Mary Strickland (Bryan), and Mike Nix (Tami); eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and his brother, Frank Horace Nix.

He was predeceased by his wife, Barbara Gast Nix; sister, Mattie; and brothers, Lloyd Morgan Nix and Lawrence William Nix.

A graveside service will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, August 29, 2025 at Southland Memorial Gardens, 700 West Dunbar Road, West Columbia, SC 29170.

The family would like to say a special thank you to Dr J. Patel, Sharon, and all of the office/care team of Prisma Health, Mcleod Home Care, Lexington Medical Center, Lexington Medical Center Extended Care, and Amedysis Hospice.