James D. Nixon

If he could, James Dalton Nixon would tell you, “I’m just off on a long cruise.”

Jim (75) departed for his voyage Sept. 18th, 2021, and true to character, chose comfort over fashion when it came to clothing.

A Tornado from birth (in more ways than one), Jim attended Kent State University and returned to Dover with grades he couldn’t exactly brag about, but a bride that he could. Together, he and the lovely Cris raised three children, countless tomato plants, and many, many cats.

Jim Nixon could expound on just about anything. You name it: Catherine the Great, economics, the proper way to cut meat, Warther knives, James Bond movies, how to open a door for a lady, the Reeves family, tulips in Holland, scotch, car reviews, the best place to have breakfast in Hawaii, and of course – cats, including the three-legged variety. Always the teacher from big toe to bald head, he taught without even realizing something had been learned. He taught his own children the value of grit and hard work, respect, self-possession, not to mess with him when he ripped his glasses off, and that the best childhood memories can be made in a tiny rustic cabin on the Trent. Most importantly, together, he and Cris taught their children how to maintain a marriage, tend to it, and keep it beautiful regardless of its age.

Jim is survived by his loving wife, Cristann Nixon, and his three children, Donald (Brandi) Nixon, James (Melanie) Nixon, and Ellen (Terry Camerlengo) Nixon, along with his five grandsons, Trenton, Thomas, Ryan, Nolan, and Luke-all people he loved more than anything else in the world, followed closely by cruises to Bermuda, trips to Hawaii, his cat, Simon, Rachmaninoff’s 2nd, Pilsner Urquell, and his own cooking.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Marjorie Myers Nixon-Huff, and his father, Donald Albert Nixon, who were, by all accounts, amazing and community-minded individuals. There is no question that this DNA was embedded in their only child.

Jim will be missed by all who knew him. His zest for life, for meeting people, for finding new paradises and showing them to others has no parallel. He was his own person, typically dismissing the opinions of others and doing what he wanted. Anyone who observed his pairing of a patterned tie with a plaid shirt would second this.

We all hope, James Dalton Nixon, that your long cruise on which you have embarked is a luxury liner with scotch that pours from faucets, cabin stewardesses that look like a young Sophia Loren, fine dining in every corner, and powerful binoculars at no extra cost. With any luck, we will all get to meet you at some distant port, where you wave us on board ready to take us to a new destination.

You always were so good at showing us the way.

We love you more than you can imagine and will miss the color that you brought to our lives.

Cremation has been entrusted to the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home and Crematory at Dover. A memorial Mass will be held on Wednesday, September 29th starting at 11:00 am in the St. Joseph Catholic Church with Fr. Jimmy Hatfield officiating. The family will be greeting friends one hour prior to the service on Wednesday. Those wishing to express their fondest memories of Jim may do so by visiting the online obituaries link on the funeral home’s website.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church or to Community Hospice.