Danny C Nivens

Danny Calvin Nivens, originally from Hale Center and a longtime resident of Lubbock, Texas, passed away peacefully at home on September 3, 2025.

Born in Hale County, Danny attended both Hale Center High School and Plainview High School, where he was an outstanding athlete, excelling in basketball, track, and football. He continued his education at East Texas State University, where he earned a degree in Agricultural Business Management, and later attended Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. As a young man, he also earned his State FFA Degree, a recognition of his dedication to agriculture.

Danny went on to spend more than 30 years working in the agriculture co-op system, including with ACL Farmers Co-op, Agriliance, and CHS Inc. He also owned and operated Nivens Spraying, serving local producers with dedication. During his career, he became a well-respected consultant among area farmers. He received many safety awards, of which he was very proud, always taking workplace safety seriously to protect his employees—who were like a second family to him. In addition, he earned numerous sales awards and built lasting relationships with his customers, who were always very important to him. Danny especially loved seeing the younger generation start farming and was always eager to share his knowledge with them.

In 2007, Danny was diagnosed with a rare blood cancer and told there was no cure. That never slowed him down—he continued working in Abernathy, Texas, keeping up with the best of them. In 2017, he was also diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension, a serious condition that affects the heart and lungs. He was determined to carry on his daily routine and remained very positive, which his doctors believed was the reason he lived much longer than most people with PAH. Danny was known for being both hard-headed and courageous, and he faced every challenge with strength, faith, and perseverance. He was blessed with a wonderful team of doctors, whose care and support helped him through many years of his health journey. Above all, he would go to any length to protect his family.

In 1984, Danny married the love of his life and best friend, Dawn McFadden Nivens, and together they built a life filled with love, laughter, and family. Danny and Dawn were the definition of a true love story, devoted to one another for over 40 years. In 1987, they welcomed their daughter, Lacee Dior Nivens, who would become the joy of his life. Danny loved the simple pleasures of life: taking family trips to NASCAR races, cooking out on his grill, following NHRA drag racing as a proud Mopar fan, watching his grandchildren grow up, and relaxing with his favorite John Wayne movies.

Danny is survived by his loving wife, Dawn McFadden Nivens, and his daughter, Lacee Dior Nivens. He was a proud G-Pa to Lacee’s children with Danny Short, twins Ace Short and Brooklyn Short. He is also survived by his sisters, Carla Gray and her husband Gary, and Debby Nix and her husband Cord, as well as his beloved Godson, Tanner Ketchersid, along with many extended family members and friends who loved him dearly.

Danny was preceded in death by his father, Arville Nivens, and his mother, Benny Gilliland.

A viewing will be held Wednesday evening, September 10, 2025, from 5:00–7:00 p.m. at Resthaven Funeral Home in Lubbock, Texas. Funeral services will follow on Thursday, September 11, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at Resthaven's Abbey Chapel. Family and friends are invited to gather in remembrance and celebration of his life.

Danny Nivens will be deeply missed and forever cherished by all who knew him.

Funeral Services will be broadcast live on Lacee Nivens' facebook page.