Obit – Mr. Tommy Nixon
Defeated Creek Community native and Shelbyville, Tennessee resident, and a Smith County High School tri-athlete, Mr. Tommy Nixon, departed this life to begin his heavenly journey wrapped in the arms of Jesus and made his arrival into heaven at 8:07 p.m. Monday evening June 22, 2026 at the age of 80 surrounded by his family and enveloped with love.
Private family graveside services were conducted on Thursday morning August 13th at 10:30 a.m. with his longtime friend, Bro. Dwight Henry of Cookeville officiating. Burial was with his parents in the Nixon Family Cemetery in the Nixon Hollow in the Defeated Creek Community.
Born Thomas Harold Nixon on October 19, 1946, he was one of two sons and a daughter of the late Ottie Albert Nixon who died November 10, 1988 at the age of 78 and Elizabeth Sarah Sutton Nixon who died April 26, 1999 at the age of 84.
His brother, Jerry Albert Nixon preceded him in death on May 12, 2025 at the age of 86.
From a young age, Tom was known as the athlete of the Nixon family. If there was a sport involving a ball, Tom played it. His competitive spirit, determination, and natural athletic ability followed him throughout his entire life.
He was a 1966 graduate at Smith County High School where he majored in science and foreign languages. All four years he played football, where his senior year he made all Cumberland Valley Conference, was the most improved player his junior year, received the honor of receiving honorable mention as an all-mid-state player both his junior and senior year; excelled in basketball where he was team captain his senior year, and all tournament his junior year, and baseball. Tommy was a member of the Latin Club where he served as vice-president his junior year and secretary-treasurer his senior year. His senior year he was a member of the Black & Gold staff.
Voted by his peers his senior year, he was selected as the most athletic and it was stated of him; he was a whiz on the basketball court. In the ’66 annual it was noted of him that he liked sports, was a hustler and was bold.
Tom worked his way through college, earning a degree in education. He began his career as a coach, a season of life he treasured deeply. Though he often joked that he was terrible with names, he could remember each of “his boys” and spoke of them with great pride and affection throughout the years.
After the birth of his daughter, Amy, Tom worked for the State of Tennessee under the Governor for a time before discovering what would become his lifelong profession in optical sales, where he built lasting friendships and enjoyed a successful career spanning many years.
Tom possessed an adventurous spirit and a love for seeing the world. He enjoyed more than forty cruises during his lifetime and traveled extensively throughout Europe. He was a devoted Tennessee Volunteers fan, and, later in life, developed a passion for golf that became legendary among his friends. He missed qualifying for the PGA Senior Tour by a single stroke, and his golfing buddies knew the rule well: “Do not bet Nixon, you will lose your money.”
Tom faithfully volunteered with local food ministries and had a genuine heart for feeding those in need. It was more than volunteer work; it was his ministry. He was always willing to help others in any way he could, whether that meant helping someone move, planting flower beds, painting, or simply showing up when someone needed a hand.
A faithful Christian man, Tom loved God and loved people well. In his later years, he became deeply involved in Bible study through his home Bible study group and would often smile and say, “I’m so glad I know now.”
He had a passion for ice cream, sunshine, sports, and his family. Above all else, Tom cherished the people he loved.
Tom will be remembered for his enormous smile, his heart to help, the way he brought fun into all our lives, his competitive spirit, and the way he lived life wide open. His legacy is one of adventure, joy, and a life lived to the absolute fullest.
Tom is survived by his devoted wife, Troye Dalton Nixon, who faithfully loved and cared for him through two years of extended illness, remaining by his side until his very last breath; his only daughter, Amy Beth Nixon Houle and husband Eric of Atlanta, Georgia; his grandsons, Carson and Owen; his sister, Sally Marie Nixon Woodard of the Defeated Creek Community; nieces and nephews David Nixon and wife Jennifer Bush Nixon of the Defeated Creek Community, Rhonda Nixon Chandler and husband Kevin of Pleasant View TN, Tonya Craighead and husband Jeff of the Kempville Community, Chris Nixon and wife Megan, Lashae Johnson and husband James, Kristen Boyett all of the Defeated Creek Community, Tia McKinney, Kevin Craighead and fiancée Kayla Stinson of Cookeville, Rianna Leishman and husband Jake of Beallsville, Ohio, Tanner Decker of Alledonia, Ohio, Tracey Woodard Wilkerson, Harley, Waylon, Sutton, and Knox; along with many other beloved family members, former players, golfing partners, dear friends, and loved ones whose lives were made richer by knowing him.
SANDERSON of CARTHAGE
