of Conway, AR
June 22, 1927 - March 21, 2014
Donald Ray Nixon, 86, of Conway, a long-time basketball coach and a member of the Arkansas High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame, University of Central Arkansas Hall of Fame, and Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame, died March 21, 2014.
He was born to the late Frances and Oscar Nixon in Sedalia, Mo., on June 22, 1927, and grew up in southwest Little Rock, where his family had a grocery store, Nixon's Trading Post, and Lake Nixon, then a swimming area open to the public. He graduated from Mabelvale High School and then joined the United States Navy on July 17, 1945. He spent 14 months in service, including a stint in the South Pacific.
After his service, he returned home and enrolled in Little Rock Junior College (now the University of Arkansas at Little Rock), where he reconnected with an old high school acquaintance, the former Betty White. They were married on April 6, 1947.
He transferred to Arkansas State Teachers College (now UCA) and graduated with a bachelor of science in education degree in science and biology in 1951 and later earned a master's in administration from the University of Arkansas. His first job was teaching junior high science and social studies at Joe T. Robinson (now Pulaski Robinson), where he began his coaching career in softball and basketball. Over the years, he also worked as assistant coach in football and track.
After spending 1952-54 at Robinson, he returned to his alma mater, Mabelvale (now Little Rock McClellan), from 1954-59. After coaching junior high basketball from 1959-67, Nixon coached the boys team at Little Rock Central from 1967-72. His Central teams won Class AAAA state championships in 1970 and '72 (and finished runner-up in '69 and '71) and won the first Arkansas High School Overall Championship in '72.
He then spent a year as an assistant men's basketball coach at UCA before taking over as head coach for the 1973-74 season, leading the Bears to a 22-9 mark and the NAIA National Tournament. They returned to Kansas City in 1974-75. In six seasons, he compiled a 95-76 record.
Some of his players went on to become successful coaches themselves. James Dickey, now at Houston, is a former head coach at Texas Tech. John Hutchcraft is the legendary Guy-Perkins coach; Gary Davis was the successful baseball coach at North Little Rock.
After retiring from coaching, Nixon managed the UCA student union for nine years.
Nixon was a board member of the Salvation Army, UCA Sports Hall of Fame, Rotary Club, Masons, and the Arkansas Sports Club as well as a member of First United Methodist Church in Conway.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Betty; children, Michael Nixon (Kathy) of Reed City, Mich.; Pamela Sager (David) of Little Rock; Brandy Nixon-Snell (Lynnis) of Conway; Shawn Nixon (Melissa) of Fayetteville, and Scott Nixon (Beth) of Conway; his sister, Marion Nixon-Huggins (Frank) of Hot Springs; seven grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 26, at First United Methodist Church in Conway with the Rev. Lynn Kilbourne officiating. Pallbearers will be some of his former players: John Hutchcraft and Joe Couch from UCA; Randy Elrod, Bruce Mitchell, Fred Allen and Ed Rownd from Central; and Don Hurst and John McDaniel from Mabelvale. Honorary pallbearers will be Leon Hill, Frank Huggins, Bill Pate, Jim Brewer, Vance Strange, Don Dyer, Cliff Garrison, Harold Horton, Charles Ripley, Terry Garner, Ken Stephens, Tom Byarly, James Dickey, Mike Harrison, Mike Beard and Jim Polk.
Burial will be at Martin Cemetery in Little Rock.
Visitation will be at Roller McNutt Funeral Home from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, March 25. Memorials may be made to the Salvation Army or First United Methodist Church of Conway.
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27 Condolence(s)
Kathryn Bailey
Tuesday, November 30, 2021
Coach Nixon, I remember from WestSide Jr. High School. He was the only teacher that was nice to me.
Wonderful human being.
Shawn Nixon
Thursday, April 5, 2018
My grandfather/dad, was the most important and influential person in my life. He was a true blessing to me and everyone that knew him. My grandfather was tough on me while growing up but he was fair and taught me how to be a man. Most people do not know my grandfather like I knew him. He was the most giving man and sacrificed everything for me and my siblings. God not only gave me a wonderful grandfather/Dad, but he gave me my best friend! There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t look at my phone to see if he called to check in on me, which he did about 5 times daily! When my grandfather left this world, I lost a huge part of my life! He was the man who shaped my life with all the years of his wisdom and love! I can honestly say, my grandfather loved me as much as the man upstairs.....unconditionally!! I know we will be together again and he will still be trying to teach me! I can’t wait to see you Papa! 😭🙏🏼❤️
Terri & Mike Forward
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Dear Betty & family;
our condolences are with you in the loss of your husband, father, grandfather & friend. May the fond memories be a keepsake of your hearts.
The Forwards from Muskegon, MI
(Kathy's mother & brothers/wives)
Shirley Forward
Mike & Terri Forward
Mark & Jody Forward
Elic And Jeannine
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Betty,Having known you and Donald for a long time,Jeannine and i are sorry for your loss, Our prayers and thoughts go out to you
Elic and Jeannine
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Betty having known you and Donald for a long tiime , Jeannine and I are sorry for your Loss, Our thoughts and prayers go out to you
. Love jeannine and Elic Gregory
Elic and Jeannine
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Betty having known you and Donald for a long tiime , Jeannine and I are sorry for your Loss, Our thoughts and prayers go out to you
. Love jeannine and Elic Gregory
Albert Davis
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
So sorry to hear of Coach Nixon's passing. He will be always be remembered as a great basketball Coach. He was the person responsible for me being able to play basketball in Jr.and Sr. High School at Mabelvale. He delivered several players home after practice each day. This is a testimony to His character and his dedication in shaping the lives of his players. He will never be forgotten. May GOD bless the Nixon Family in your time of grief.
Albert Davis
Mark Osburn
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Rest in peace Coach. You were a class act and a great
Coach for the UCA Bears. I have a lot of great memories
Of your teams during my years at UCA. Bear Nation just
Lost a great man.
Susan Burks
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Mrs. Nixon and family, my thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time. I enjoyed watching basketball when Mr. Nixon was coach. He was a wonderful father and grandfather and great-grandfather. He will be missed.
Robert Kelly
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Farewell to a fine coach and good person who represented UCA and the state very well. Always enjoyed watching and rooting for Coach's teams when a student and exchanging hellos when passing him on campus. We are all better off for haivng known Coach. Rest in peace.
Tom and Vicki Hoffman
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Mrs. Nixon and Family....we were so sorry to learn of your loss. Coach Nixon was a very special man and a true friend. We always enjoyed seeing him walking his dog, knowing he was always available for a visit. He will be missed. You and the family will continue to be in our prayers during this most difficult time. Tom and Vicki Hoffman
Carla Grant
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Don was the director of the UCA Student Center when I was hired as the secretary there. I loved getting to visit with Don, and always enjoyed seeing him when he would come by after he retired. He will be missed.
Jim Dornblaser and Family
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Our condolences to entire Nixon family. Don was a great person and a wonderful cousin. I remember the good ole days at Lake Nixon and at the cabin at Greers Ferry. He was so close to my Dad and Don was like a second Father always giving great advice on life. He will be missed, but remembered by all.
Callis and Debbie Childs
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Betty and Family, We will miss visiting with Don on his walks through our neighborhood. Our prayers are with you as you mourn his loss.
Jacqueline Kordsmeier
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
I had the pleasure of getting to know Don through the Conway Noon Rotary Club and what a blessing he was to our club. He always had a smile on his face and would brighten my days. He will be missed!
Jackie Robinette
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
So sorry for your loss. He was a sweet, sweet man and will be greatly missed
Ron Dornblaser
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Don was a good man and I am going to miss him. We had some good conversations over the years. Don was more like a father figure to me than a couisin. He and everyone around him should be proud of what he accomplished in his life. My whole family sends their deapest regrets.
Steve Jessen
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Betty and Family,
We are very loss for your loss. I knew Don from college and watched him coach with passion. Many years later we were in the same Rotary Club and he recruited me along with many others to serve on the Salvation Army Advisory Board. Don was passionate about helping others who were less fortunate. I have enjoyed getting to know Don and will miss him.
Gene Hooks Family
Monday, March 24, 2014
We are sorry to hear of your loss. Your family will be in our prayers. May you find comfort and peace. May God bless you during this time and always.
Nai Hooks
Tom Erbach
Monday, March 24, 2014
Betty and family,
We were all very sorry to learn "Coach" had passed. Following his retirement from coaching, he worked at the Faulkner County Day School in contract procurement and job placement. He was a remarkable man and will be missed by many.
His friends at Work Force
Cindy Spangler
Monday, March 24, 2014
Love and prayers for your family.
gene bowman
Monday, March 24, 2014
Betty & family,
So sorry to hear of Don's death. I will always remember the good times at Lake Nixon and how fun Don was and great to work for. He always had a way to make a job easier. The drills he put us through to make us better life guards. Betty you Mike & Pam are in my prayers. gene
Robert McChesney
Monday, March 24, 2014
To the Nixon family: Laraine and I send our condolences in your loss of Don. We have so many fond memories of watching UCA basketball and of working with him at the University. May the Lord bless you.
Bob and Laraine McChesney
Kaye Hoggard
Sunday, March 23, 2014
My thoughts and prayers are with you all. I have many fond memories of Don.
Kaye Hoggard (was Dickerson)
Burleson Family
Sunday, March 23, 2014
Mrs. Nixon & Family we are sorry to hear about the loss of Coach. We use to live down the street from you on Timothy. The stories you all told of my grandfather *John Hoffman Senior* & the Hoffman boys are special to me. My son Jeremy Burleson has some really found memories of Coach.
It was a Amazing Pleasure to know you.
Praying for All the family....
Brian, Melissa & Jeremy Burleson
Mike Beard
Sunday, March 23, 2014
I was blessed by many great coaches while growing ujp in Little Rock. From Bob Cross @ Pulaski Heights to Gene Hall, Bobby Hannon, Gene Hall, Jim Cathcart and finally, Don Nixon @ Little Rock Central. Later, Cliff Gustafson was "of the same character" @ Texas.
The common theme of all of these men:: Take your God-Given talent and Work Harder than everyone else.
Don Nixon epitomized this theme. When mistakes were made, he kicked his trusty volleyball and, we did 20 pushups. On one occassion, he let me know that I would "Have to buy a ticket" to get into the fieldhouse the next night against Ft. Smith Northside, if didn't quit turning the ball over.
I'm sure he will always be coaching and, his teams will always play great defense, make 80% of the free throws, shoot 50% from the field and turn the ball over less than 5 times per game. To say, nothing of, Working Harder than everyone else.
He is missed by all who knew him.
Mike Beard
Ramona Sturgeon
Sunday, March 23, 2014
Mrs. Nixon, I am sorry for your loss. I am thankful I got to know you and your family. Mr. Nixon was a nice man to know. Thank you for inviting me into your home. God Bless You.