John David Nivens

John Nivens knew both joy and sorrow. But as his family mourns his passing on December 19, 2016, this is the legacy they celebrate: He embraced life’s blessings even as he learned to live with its grief. He was only 68 when he died unexpectedly after years of battling heart trouble.

John was born on March 28, 1948, at Presbyterian Hospital, grew up in Dilworth and never left the city he adored. After graduating from Myers Park High School in 1966, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of South Carolina and spent most of his career as a CPA for several firms, including Peat, Marwick, Mitchell and Co., Dickerson Inc. and Ironpeddlers Inc.

He was good with numbers, of course. But it was his entrepreneurial spirit that distinguished his professional life, and filled his personal life with tenderness. His son, Johnny, died at age 16 in a one-car accident on Labor Day weekend in 1987. Later, he lost three grandchildren, Joseph, Mary and Sarah, the children of his daughter, Heather, and her husband, Charley. How does a person respond to such tragedy? After Johnny’s death, John owned Bombat Sport Inc., a company in Faith, N.C. that manufactured aluminum baseball bats. It was his way of honoring his son, who loved playing baseball. He even named several custom-made bats for Johnny.

That was John Nivens. His proudest accomplishment was being a dad, a devotion he expressed through coaching his kids in baseball, softball and basketball, serving as PTA President and rarely missing any of their games. By the time the grandkids were old enough to participate in various activities, John had a hard time getting around. But there he was at their events anyway, cheering them on.

John Nivens was a character. He had a sly wit and mischievous laugh, loved telling stories, was quick with a joke and always knew just what to say. He enjoyed fast cars, his big leather chair, Green’s hot dogs, Mr. K’s milkshakes and his surly cat “D.” But far above everything else, he adored his family, and will forever be remembered for a life that challenged him to show us what he had. What he had was perseverance, and grace.

John is survived by his wife, Virginia Poston Nivens, of Charlotte; daughter, Heather Nivens Leavitt and her husband, Charley, of Charlotte; stepchildren, David Beekman and Virginia Beekman Swiler and her husband, Lance, all of Charlotte; and five beloved grandchildren – Ian, Banks and Ella-Chase Leavitt, and Cameron and Morgan Swiler. He is also survived by his former wife, Rosella Bergen, of Charlotte.

He was preceded in death by his parents, W.J. and Louise Blake Nivens; his son, Johnny Nivens; and three grandchildren – Joseph, Mary and Sarah Leavitt.

A Memorial to celebrate his life will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2017 at St. Gabriel Catholic Church, 3016 Providence Rd., led by Rev. Ed Sheridan. Visitation and reception follows at the church. Private graveside service follows at Elmwood cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, a gift to honor his memory can be made to the Nivens Fund at Myers Park Trinity Little League, Attn.: Nivens Fund, P.O. Box 11556, Charlotte, N.C. 28220. Please make the check out to Myers Park Trinity Little League with Nivens Fund on the memo line.