Don Clare Nixon

Don Clare Nixon, 93, a longtime resident of Jacksonville, slipped peacefully away on May 15, 2013. Born on September 4, 1919 to Clare Hill Nixon and Grace MacFarlane Nixon in Flint, Michigan, the Nixon's moved to Arlington, Florida in 1926. As a young boy of 13, Don, along with his lifelong friend Walter Babcock, was entrusted with carrying the mail daily by boat from the foot of Arlington Road across the St. Johns River to Beaver Street & back since there was no bridge at that time. Don was involved in establishing the Arlington Volunteer Fire Department wearing badge # 11. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1941 & served under General George C. Marshall in China during World War II. While stationed in Key West, Florida, Don met & married the love of his life, Marie Natalie Motes; they became the proud parents of two lovely daughters. After his honorable discharge from military service, Don was in the grocery business as a buyer for Clark and Lewis Wholesale Foods, a loyal & dedicated employee for 35 years until his retirement in 1981. Mr. Nixon is predeceased by his mother & father; brothers Robert and Rayford Nixon; sisters Virginia Nixon Cruz and Florence Nixon Sigler; and his loving wife of 55 years, Marie Motes Nixon. Don is survived by his sister Edna Nixon DeLan, 96 of Pompano Beach, Florida; daughters Grace Nixon Gough of Jacksonville, and Marion Nixon Allbright of Atlantic Beach, Florida; grandchildren Rick Gough of Jacksonville, and Lisa Marie Lewis of Lakeville, Minnesota; Great-granddaughters Brooke, Baylee and Bella Lewis of Lakeville, Minnesota; and special 'daughter" Philippi H. Snow of Atlanta, Georgia. A graveside service with military honors will be held on Tuesday, May 21, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at Restlawn Memorial Park, 2600 Ribault Scenic Drive, Jacksonville, Fl 32208. In lieu of flowers, Mr. Nixon wished for donations be made in his name to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105. The family would like to thank Caregivers at Avante Nursing Home in Jacksonville Beach, and Community Hospice of Northeast Florida for their gentle and compassionate care of our beloved Papa Don Nixon.