July 17, 1943 –

Feb. 28, 2013

Mr. Robert Paul Nix, Sr., 69, of Panama City, Fla., passed away Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013, at his residence. Mr. Nix was born July 17, 1943, in Bainbridge, to Robert and Ruby Nix.

Funeral services will be at 3 p.m., Tuesday, March 5, 2013, at Southerland Family Funeral Home, in Panama City, Fla., with the Rev. Clyde Ellis officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home, Monday, March 4, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Pallbearers are Carroll Howell, Jim White, Wayne Lewis, Ray Kicklighter, Jim Motley, Bayne Collins, Jerry Clemons, Jackie Shores, Willis Holley, Jerry Sowell, Rush Akin, John Pilcher, Guy Tunnell, Mike Amos and James “Bo” Barrow.

He was an outstanding football player in his high school and college years at Troy State University. Nix was instrumental in the creation of the first fraternity at Troy University, Pi Kappa Phi. After graduation from Troy State University, he came to Panama City, where he began his professional career as a football coach and teacher at Rutherford High School, leaving behind a remarkable association with staff and students.

Mr. Nix next worked at Seaco Electric in increasing positions of management responsibility. He started Bay Construction Company and was a major builder in the area with many examples of his work still present, such as the Fire Department building on Sixth Avenue. He started and was president of Corrections Communication, Inc.

Mr. Nix was a special project manager, Office of the Sergeant at Arms, for the Florida House of Representatives. He was a member of Panama City Jaycees, Military Affairs, Chamber of Commerce, First Friday Club, and Rotary Club. Mr. Nix served on the Panama City Civil Board as vice chairman, Bay County Regional Airport as vice chairman, Bay Water Quality Committee, Northwest Florida Regional Housing Authority, Bay County Planning Commission as chairman, and he was the founder of White Western Dinner Club. Mr. Nix loved fishing and golf.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Ruby Nix.

Mr. Nix is survived by his fiancée, Georgia Dake of Panama City; son, Robert Nix Jr. of Panama City; brother, Larry K. Nix and wife Alice of Marietta, Ga.; two grandchildren, Alek and Brannon Nix; cousin and loyal friend James (Jim) Smith of Tallahassee, Fla.; two nieces, Laura Gerson and Sharon Nix of Los Angeles, Calif.; nephew, Greg Nix of Marietta; former wife, Ginger Isler; and numerous cousins.

Southerland Family Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.