John Kenneth Nix

John Kenneth Nix (“Ken”), beloved family man, passed away peacefully on October 20, 2025, at age 77. He is preceded in death by his parents John L. Nix and Sarah Highsmith Nix and siblings Latrelle Nix Edwards and Thomas Edward Nix. He is survived by his wife of 54 years Cathy Nix; daughter, Callie Feild (David), of Greenville, South Carolina; son, Jake Nix (Ramsey), of Athens, Georgia; and daughter, Dorothy Davis (Brandon), of Nashville, Tennessee; and seven grandchildren: Max and Rhodes Feild; Tommy and Catie Jo Nix; and Taylor, James and Clara Davis. He is also survived by sister-in-law Betty Nix.

Born on February 13, 1948 in Cleveland, Georgia, Ken often reminisced about playing football for White County High School. He spent summers developing his work ethic at Nix Hardware and Furniture in downtown Cleveland, where he later put his own children to work.

While attending the University of Georgia, he met Catherine McLanahan during football season. He would pick her up at the Chi Omega house and take her to parties at the Alpha Tau Omega house. They married in 1971, a week before he started law school at UGA, and they’ve been best friends and sweethearts ever since. They moved to Gainesville, Georgia, when Ken got a job at the Telford, Stewart, & Stephens Law firm, where he worked for his entire career. He worked long days, but his children especially remember how he took them to breakfast at the Cake Box every Friday morning.

Ken quietly served on many professional, educational and civic organization boards, but he particularly loved serving as the Board Chairman for the North Georgia Community Foundation and serving on the board of First National Bank. He was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Gainesville.

After retirement, he devoted his time and energy to taking care of family. He ensured that extended family gathered regularly for Sunday lunches at his parents’ house in Cleveland. He loved playing golf with his longtime buddies and spending time at Lake Rabun. Known as “Keno” by his grandchildren, he was especially gentle and present with the babies in his life. They loved rocking on his lap and laughing at his funny faces and sounds.

He spent his final year at the Palmettos Memory Care in Greenville, South Carolina, where he received compassionate care from a devoted staff. Jennifer and Kelli with Browning Geriatric Care also provided loving support during this time.

The family will have a private gathering to remember and celebrate the life he lived, the example he set and the traits that defined his character. His friends and family will never forget Ken’s kindness, humility, honesty, discipline and devotion. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the charity of your choice in his memory.