Melvin Nix
Melvin “Mel” Ralph Nix, 77, of Whitefish, our beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather, and friend was called home to be with his Lord on March 28, 2012 at North Valley Hospital.
Mel was born Sept. 2, 1934, in Lodi, Calif., to a farming family living in the nearby town of Wilton. As he grew up on the 125-acre family farm and dairy, he and his brothers Robert and Vernon along with his sister Lucy, did their share of the work. Under the care and loving supervision of his parents, Ralph and Edna, the family grew corn, beans, and hay. They also had a huge garden, all while milking 50 head of dairy cows.
While working on the farm and going to school, Mel developed a strong work ethic and a love of growing plants and raising animals. Another trait Mel developed at this time was his ability to be your friend and companion.
All the hard work on the farm paid off — his Dad bought Mel a 1953 Mercury two-tone color job consisting of a black roof with a chartreuse body.
Mel found the love of his life, Jackie Baldwin, in high school. They both wrote in each other’s memory book that they wanted to spend the next 50 or more years together. Mel and Jackie would have been married for 56 years on April 26.
Along with love and marriage come children. Ruthmarie was first, and then Stephen came along. To support his family Mel added to his talents. His first job outside of the farm was a drill press operator in a popsicle factory, then a short stint on a road crew for Sacramento County.
Through his father-in-law, Jack Baldwin, Mel got a job as a warehouseman with a Texaco distributor. Working his way up in the organization he became a dispatcher and responsible to get the fuel and lubricants to the farms and businesses in the Stockton area. In May of 1966, Texaco promoted Mel to terminal manager and transferred him and his family to Eureka, Calif., where he continued to tend to his family and his gardens.
September of 1975 brought another move, this time to Eugene, Ore. In addition to raising his kids he took his Begonias to the County Fair and took three first place ribbons for all three entries. This was the first time he had ever entered any contest.
Texaco once again called on Mel to make a move for the company, this time to Seattle. It was 1981 and the job was Transportation Manager. Mel was responsible for the delivery of fuel and oils to the Seattle area, as well as maintaining the fleet of delivery trucks.
After 35 years with Texaco, he retired to Whitefish. Along the way he made many friends, grew flowers in his beautiful yard, fished many streams, saw his children grow up and marry, and welcomed grandchildren into the world.
Like the working part of Mel’s life, his retirement was filled with his family new discoveries and new friends. His enjoyment of Montana and the good friends he made here filled his life and gave him peace and satisfaction.
As with all things of goodness and personal highs there are also lows. Mel was diagnosed with multiple systems atrophy (a type of Parkinsonism). While struggling with this disease he succumbed to the symptoms. Mel was very grateful to the doctors and nurses that helped him with his illness. The family is grateful to the caring and professionalism of the EMT’s, paramedics, firefighters, nurses and doctors at North Valley Hospital that cared for them through their loss of this wonderful man. The family would also like to thank pastor John Bent and associate pastor Ralph Boyer of Christ Lutheran Church as well as the support of the congregation. Mel was a member of Christ Lutheran Church and enjoyed worshiping and all his friends there.
Mel is survived by his loving wife, Jackie of Whitefish; his daughter, Ruthmarie (Mark) Wright of Napa, Calif., and their children, Holly of Missoula, and Hana of Whitefish who lived with Mel and Jackie and helped with his care; his son and friend, Stephen of Whitefish. Mel is also survived by a brother, Vernon Nix of Wilton, Calif., and his sister, Lucy (Nash) D’Angelo of Reno, Nev. In addition Mel is survived by many extended family members. Mel was predeceased by his mother, Edna (Thoenges) Nix; his father, Ralph Nix; and older brother, Robert Nix, all of Wilton, Calif.
A Celebration of Life was held at Christ Lutheran Church, 5150 River Lakes Parkway in Whitefish, on April 3.
Mel is now in heaven rejoicing with his God and his parents and brother while awaiting us all. In lieu of flowers, donations to any of the following organizations would honor Mel’s memory:
·Christ Lutheran Church, 5150 River Lakes Parkway, Whitefish, MT 59937
·APDA(American Parkinson Disease Assoc), 500 -15th Avenue, South, Great Falls, MT 59405
·Flathead County Animal Shelter, C/O Flathead City-County Health Dept, 1035 First Ave W, Kalispell, MT 59901
Arrangements entrusted to Austin Funeral Home
You are invited to visit WWW. Austinfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and share memories and View Mel’s tribute wall.