El Paso has lost a kind, gentle, caring man. Laurance Nickey, MD died August 21, 2018. He was the son of the late Laurance N. Nickey and Jennie Maye Langston Nickey. Although born in Ft. Worth May 25, 1931, he arrived in El Paso at the age of two months.
He attended Dudley Grammar School and graduated from El Paso High School, UTEP, and Baylor University College of Medicine. He was in the private practice of Pediatrics from 1960 - 1983. He then turned his full attention to public health, assuming the position of Director of the El Paso City - County Health District. He served until his retirement in 1995. His contributions to improve the health of all El Paso citizens have been many: the Oral Polio Immunization program in 1963, the improved treatment for El Pasoans with tuberculosis, the Improved Pregnancy Outcome Program, securing health insurance for newborns, and many, many other programs. His awards, honors, and accolades are too numerous to mention.
Dr. Nickey is survived by his wife Jan. They raised seven children: Deborah Adams (Robert), Larry Nickey III (Jacilee), Donna Serna (Johnny Quintana), Stephen Nickey (Angela), Susan Meitz (Jeff), Grant Foxworth (Cheryl), and Hal Foxworth (deceased). They have nine grandchildren: Justin, Mark, Jeff, Shaelan, Truett, Kristen, Laura, Trevor, Julia and great grandchildren, Max and Myra.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Dr. Nickey's memory be made to The Community Foundation, PO Box 272, El Paso TX 79943-0272, for The Laurance N. Nickey and Janis Jones Nickey Fund for Public Health, The Baptist Clinic, c/o Eleanor Poe R.N., 8308 Echo, El Paso, TX 79904, or a charity of your choice that benefits El Paso. Services entrusted to Martin Funeral Home West.
