Kerry passed away on February 9th, 2022 in Salt lake City, UT. He was born on April 8th, 1950 to Paul I. Nixon, Sr. and Shirley T. Warner in Holden, UT.
Kerry considered himself foremost as a father and grandfather, proud of his six children, 19 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren and one on the way. He loved talking and visiting with his children’s families. He was a retired Industrial Engineer, specializing in medical devices.
He traveled all over the U.S. and Canada working to help make medical devices safe. He served an LDS Mission in South Africa (1968 – 1970). He also served in the US Air Force, as a pilot, until 1975. Kerry was an avid University of Utah Football fan, unless BYU was playing.
Survived by his wife Dianne Nixon; children Travis Nixon, Jeff (Lisa) Nixon, Michelle Nixon, Rachel (Chris) Opdahl, Craig (Bobbie) Nixon and Jennifer (Matt) Misquez; siblings Paul (Maria) Nixon, Chris (Rebecca McPherson) Nixon and Julie (Randy) Blake.
Preceded in death by his parents; brother Steven W. Nixon; and grandson Austin Nixon.
No services will be held at this time, but a family gathering is planned for later in the year. Family and friends will be notified then.
I'm so sorry for your loss and saddned for your family I hope and wish you all the peace of mind and love knowing that he is up thier in Heaven with our Lord and Savior and my parents keeping him company ❤️ I know how it is to lose a loved one and a husband so if you need a loving ear I'm here for you!!
I was sorry to hear of Kerry's death. Although we didn't stay in touch after high school, I really enjoyed his friendship during those times.
My prayers are with you and your family.
Kerry was a wonder brother, father and husband that we will truly miss. Our thoughts and prayers are with Diane and family during this time. Thank you Kerry for letting us be part of your life, enjoy jumping clouds and rainbows with your brother Steve. Till we meet again, much love, Rebecca and Chris
Diane and family, I was saddened to hear about the passing of Kerry. We were friends since 6th grade at South Kearns Elementary School. We liked to challenge each other to four-square ball and tether ball on the playground where our crush on each other developed. We went to his Little League Dance together with his parents chaperoning us. Our crush lasted till the beginning of 8th grade. I was so embarrassed when I initiated our first kiss, that I broke off our crush. The last time I saw Kerry was at our 50th Kearns High Class Reunion at the U of U. We didn’t get to visit long, but I’m so glad we got to see each other after all these years. Friends Always, Kathy
I'm so sorry to hear about Kerry's passing. My fondest memories of Kerry are from high school where we played in the Stage Band together --- he on trumpet and me on saxophone. He was someone I admired for his popularity, school leadership as senior class vice president, scholarship, and athletic abilities. We didn't stay in touch after high school but did reconnect some through Facebook and email and planning for our 50th high school reunion. I regret not having the time to chat longer with Kerry at the 50th reunion. It was truly a pleasure and a privilege to know him. He leaves behind a wonderful legacy through his family and many friends.
It was our father that first introduced Kerry and Diane when they both worked at Sears. He told Kerry that there was a cute little redhead that worked in the camera dept. and thought he should take a look and get acquainted. That apparently worked out well for both of them.
Maria and I visited with Kerry in early December while he was in the hospital. He was alert and oriented, and we planned a follow-up visit after we returned from vacation in January. That wasn't to be, but it was followed up with 2-3 phone calls. Diane was there with Kerry for much of the time and we appreciated her dedication and the love she displayed for my younger brother. He will certainly be missed by his family and those who knew him best. I have so many stories to tell about him while he was growing up. We went to dances together, played sports together, and shared confidences together. I'm sure he is happy reuniting with his parents and younger brother. May the Lord bless and keep him and his posterity forever.
I am so sorry to hear of Kerry's passing. I probably knew him most of his life but certainly through elementary school, jr. high and high school. He was such a good person. I remember seeing him when he worked at Sears and I saw him at the water park at the point of the mountain me with nephews and he with his kids. I am glad I got to visit a bit at the 2000 reunion and the 50 year reunion. I hope you have a great reunion with your family and loved ones. My condolences to the family.
Diane know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Kerry and I became friends in Jr high and grew closer in high school, where we competed for first chair in the trumpet section. That became a game between us, but after being bumped to second chair at least four times we decided just to be friends and let it go.
We stayed pretty close through high school. Dating and cars became more of our focus, some of the things that stand out for me are when he got his new Ford we had plans on going bowling he called and said to meet him at the Jr high and if his car was there he would save seats for the Mrs Kearns Padgett because his girlfriend was going to be in it.
Bruce Peterson drove that night and we crused up and down the parking to find a two toned ford with a new sticker in the back window, it took a while but when we found his car i got out to check the sticker info that Kerry had given me. We didn't get to attend that night because our slowly driving up and down the parking lot attached the police an Bruce and i spent the night trying to explain what we were looking for and why my brothers portable radio was in our possession. So I have reminded Kerry through the years that my first experience in the back of a police car was because of him.
After high school we lost contact until he reached out to me to help locate people in our graduating class and help notify them of a upcoming class reunion. After that we reconnected and got together with him and Diane when she was training for bodybuilding, my last experance was when we decided to double to our 50th class reunion(which was a very great night to spend that time together) we agreed to stay more in touch but as things happen when someone gets sick and cancer is involved between his bought with his cancer and my current struggle with this diamond, we were not able to physically reconnect. He joked with me when we would talk,that if I only lived closer we could use the same Dr. And could at least see each other.
I have loved him and Diane ,and charrish the memories and time spent together.
If we can learn anything from him it would be to make the time to reconnect with friends and share with each other.
