1933
Samuel
2010
Samuel Nixon
June 30, 1933 — October 24, 2010
Samuel H. Nixon, Jr., 77, departed his earthly life on Sunday, October 24, 2010, at his home, surrounded by his loving family. He had put up a valiant fight against prostate metastatic cancer for four years. He was born in Roanoke, VA, to the late Dr. Samuel H. Nixon and Gertrude Altizer Nixon. He lived in Christiansburg all his life, except when he was in active military service.
Sam had been an active member of Christiansburg Presbyterian Church since childhood and had served as a choir member, Elder, Deacon, Trustee, and chair of numerous committees. He loved his church.
He was a member of the Class of 1951 of Virginia Episcopal School (high school) and a 1955 graduate of Virginia Tech. He was a Hokie through and through and supported both academic and athletic programs. He was a member of the Ut Prosim Society.
Sam became an independent insurance agent in 1957 and started his own agency in 1959. He earned the designation of Certified Insurance Counselor in 1978. He served as President of the Professional Insurance Association of Virginia and Washington, DC, in 1981, and was named Virginia’s Outstanding Agent of the Year in 1986.
Sam was a charter member of The Blue Ridge Model A’s, founded in 1979. He was a member of Model A Restorers’ Club (MARC), Dearborn, MI; and a member of Model A Ford Club of American (MAFCA), La Habara, CA. He was qualified by MARC and MAFCA as a Team Captain and Master Judge. He was a member of the MARC Judging Standards Committee and served as chair of that committee for four years. He so enjoyed outings in one of his Model A’s with the good company of other Model A enthusiasts.
He had served as a director of First Virginia Bank of the Southwest (later BB&T); secretary-treasurer of Radford Community Hospital; past chair of the Christiansburg area Boy Scouts of America; past director of the Virginia Tech Student Aid Association; past member of Christiansburg Town Council; and past president of the Christiansburg Chamber of Commerce.
Sam is survived by his wife of 52 years, Nancy Bane Nixon, of Christiansburg; his son, Samuel H. Nixon, III, and wife, Kelly Lynn Nixon, of Bumpass, VA; his daughter, Rebecca E. Nixon, and husband, Michael S. Collins, of Putney, VT. Surviving grandchildren include Amanda K. Nixon, Morgan C. Nixon, Shanna N. Nixon, Eben I. Collins, Hayden Samuel Collins, and Ernie Cross. He is also survived by his sister, Julia Nixon Styne, and husband, Bob, of Riner; double first cousin, Sally Nixon Neel, and husband, Roger, of Riner; and brother-in-law, Buddy Bane, and wife, Coleen, of Christiansburg. Nieces and nephews include Kathryn Styne Jones, husband, Larry, and son, Andrew, of Ardsley, NY; Robbie Styne and wife, Beth, son, Danny, and daughter, Kerri, of Riner; Patricia Neel Wilson, husband, Greg, and daughter, Chandler, of Columbus, OH; Roger Neel, Jr., son, Rowland, and daughter, Campbell, of Roanoke; Trey Bane and wife, Sherri, of Douglasville, GA; and Connie Bane Walters, husband, Eric, and children, Rachel and Nathan, of Charlotte, NC. He also leaves a chosen brother, Elbert Kinzie, and wife, Boots; chosen sister-in-law, Margaret Woolwine, and husband, Ted; and chosen family, Rose and Bonnie Sumner. He will also be sadly missed by many additional cousins, a host cherished of friends, and his devoted little dachshund, Zucher.
The family is most grateful for the excellent care Sam received from his doctors: Dr. J. Michael Payne, Dr. King and Judy Haynes, Dr. Goldschmidt and Associates at Blue Ridge Cancer Care, and Dr. Charles G. Myers of AIDP of Earlysville, VA. The family is also thankful for the expert and compassionate care of the team from Good Samaritan Hospice.
Sam will be fondly remembered for his great sense of humor, infectious laugh, and love of history, including that of his family, about whom he has written many amusing stories to leave for his descendents.
At Sam’s request, there will be no visitation at the funeral home, and the burial will be private. The memorial service will take place at Christiansburg Presbyterian Church on Wednesday, October 27, at 1:00 p.m. Following the service, the family will greet friends in the Fellowship Hall of the church.
Those wishing to make a memorial contribution are asked to consider the Christiansburg Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund, 107 West Main Street, Christiansburg, VA 24073; or the Humane Society of Montgomery County, P. O. Box 287, Blacksburg, VA 24060
Sam had been an active member of Christiansburg Presbyterian Church since childhood and had served as a choir member, Elder, Deacon, Trustee, and chair of numerous committees. He loved his church.
He was a member of the Class of 1951 of Virginia Episcopal School (high school) and a 1955 graduate of Virginia Tech. He was a Hokie through and through and supported both academic and athletic programs. He was a member of the Ut Prosim Society.
Sam became an independent insurance agent in 1957 and started his own agency in 1959. He earned the designation of Certified Insurance Counselor in 1978. He served as President of the Professional Insurance Association of Virginia and Washington, DC, in 1981, and was named Virginia’s Outstanding Agent of the Year in 1986.
Sam was a charter member of The Blue Ridge Model A’s, founded in 1979. He was a member of Model A Restorers’ Club (MARC), Dearborn, MI; and a member of Model A Ford Club of American (MAFCA), La Habara, CA. He was qualified by MARC and MAFCA as a Team Captain and Master Judge. He was a member of the MARC Judging Standards Committee and served as chair of that committee for four years. He so enjoyed outings in one of his Model A’s with the good company of other Model A enthusiasts.
He had served as a director of First Virginia Bank of the Southwest (later BB&T); secretary-treasurer of Radford Community Hospital; past chair of the Christiansburg area Boy Scouts of America; past director of the Virginia Tech Student Aid Association; past member of Christiansburg Town Council; and past president of the Christiansburg Chamber of Commerce.
Sam is survived by his wife of 52 years, Nancy Bane Nixon, of Christiansburg; his son, Samuel H. Nixon, III, and wife, Kelly Lynn Nixon, of Bumpass, VA; his daughter, Rebecca E. Nixon, and husband, Michael S. Collins, of Putney, VT. Surviving grandchildren include Amanda K. Nixon, Morgan C. Nixon, Shanna N. Nixon, Eben I. Collins, Hayden Samuel Collins, and Ernie Cross. He is also survived by his sister, Julia Nixon Styne, and husband, Bob, of Riner; double first cousin, Sally Nixon Neel, and husband, Roger, of Riner; and brother-in-law, Buddy Bane, and wife, Coleen, of Christiansburg. Nieces and nephews include Kathryn Styne Jones, husband, Larry, and son, Andrew, of Ardsley, NY; Robbie Styne and wife, Beth, son, Danny, and daughter, Kerri, of Riner; Patricia Neel Wilson, husband, Greg, and daughter, Chandler, of Columbus, OH; Roger Neel, Jr., son, Rowland, and daughter, Campbell, of Roanoke; Trey Bane and wife, Sherri, of Douglasville, GA; and Connie Bane Walters, husband, Eric, and children, Rachel and Nathan, of Charlotte, NC. He also leaves a chosen brother, Elbert Kinzie, and wife, Boots; chosen sister-in-law, Margaret Woolwine, and husband, Ted; and chosen family, Rose and Bonnie Sumner. He will also be sadly missed by many additional cousins, a host cherished of friends, and his devoted little dachshund, Zucher.
The family is most grateful for the excellent care Sam received from his doctors: Dr. J. Michael Payne, Dr. King and Judy Haynes, Dr. Goldschmidt and Associates at Blue Ridge Cancer Care, and Dr. Charles G. Myers of AIDP of Earlysville, VA. The family is also thankful for the expert and compassionate care of the team from Good Samaritan Hospice.
Sam will be fondly remembered for his great sense of humor, infectious laugh, and love of history, including that of his family, about whom he has written many amusing stories to leave for his descendents.
At Sam’s request, there will be no visitation at the funeral home, and the burial will be private. The memorial service will take place at Christiansburg Presbyterian Church on Wednesday, October 27, at 1:00 p.m. Following the service, the family will greet friends in the Fellowship Hall of the church.
Those wishing to make a memorial contribution are asked to consider the Christiansburg Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund, 107 West Main Street, Christiansburg, VA 24073; or the Humane Society of Montgomery County, P. O. Box 287, Blacksburg, VA 24060
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