James Ellis Nix

James Ellis NixJames E. Nix went to his Heavenly home on September 8, 2026. He was born on October 3, 1931, to Ellis and Sarah Pauline Nix and grew up in Garland City, Arkansas. James married the love of his life, Lillian Lucille Holley, on June 22, 1952, with whom he shared 65 years of love.He graduated from Southern State College and earned his Master of Education degree from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, which turned into a lifelong love for the Razorbacks. He passed this love on to his family by taking them to countless football and basketball games. Including the time he was snowed in with his grandchildren following a Fayetteville basketball game and turned it into cherished memories of building snowmen and sharing laughter in a hotel parking lot.His 36-year career in Education included time as a Basketball coach, Principal, and Superintendent across numerous communities (Huttig, Taylor, Brinkley, and Lonoke, AR) culminating as the Director of Migrant Education for East Arkansas.He was a man of Christ, who demonstrated this through the profound positive impact he made on his family, church, and community. James was a lifetime member of the United Methodist Church, but Lonoke First UMC was his church home where many friends became family. There he taught Sunday School for over 30 years, served in officer positions, supported and served on international mission trips, and had the Nix Youth Center named in honor of him and his wife.James enjoyed his 40 years serving in the military beginning with the National Guard and retiring as an intelligence officer with the rank of Colonel in the 122nd ARCOM.In addition to his dedication to his education career, the military, and work with the church, he made ample time to share his wisdom and love with those around him while enjoying duck hunting, fishing, woodworking, and gardening, particularly caring for his rose bushes.Aside from his wife and parents, James was preceded in death by his brothers Paul, Raymond, and Richard along with his sisters Inez Bariella and Helen Brown. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law Karen and Richard Phelps; grandchildren Peyton Phelps and Garrett (Faith) Phelps, sisters Dorothy Cutchall and Joyce Jordan along with a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.The family would like to express their appreciation to his caregivers from Right at Home and the staff at Woodland Heights for their love and care.

Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 17, at Boyd Funeral Home in Lonoke with a celebration of life at 10:00 a.m., Friday, September 18, at Lonoke First United Methodist Church.Memorials may be made to Lonoke First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 152, Lonoke, AR, 72086 or Camp Tanako, 4301 Highway 290, Hot Springs, AR, 71913.