Elmer Nixon

Elmer Nixon, 92, of New Britain, CT passed away peacefully in the presence of his family on Saturday, May 27, 2023.  He was the youngest born to the late Alex and Alberta (Waller) Nixon on January 13, 1931 in Lizella, Georgia. Elmer learned the value of his labor and land ownership working on the family’s farm. He started his education in Bibb County Schools and finished his education in Pittsburgh, PA.  He would eventually become a husband and father of 4 boys at a young age.  Elmer joined the millions of African American migrants leaving the Jim Crow South in search of work that would sustain a growing family. Arriving in New Britain in 1956, Elmer found multiple job opportunities. First employed with Marlin-Rockwell, Elmer secured a second full time job with General Electric. Unsatisfied with earnings from just one job, Elmer found that working two full time jobs would help fulfill his desire for home ownership and his ability to provide for his family. After a long career at General Electric, he retired as part of management.

Elmer was very handy and enjoyed fixing things. He finished the basement level of his home, adding a bathroom and often completed the work after a late shift at work.  Elmer was a good cook who took pleasure in his vegetable garden and feeding others.  He became an advocate and member of the Lupus Foundations of America (LFA) after his wife Dorothy’s systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) diagnosis. Elmer provided leadership as the President of Connecticut’s LFA chapter. He was an active member and leader, often traveling to regional and national conferences and other events.

Elmer was an avid golfer.  His talent and work ethic made him a natural student of the game. He learned to adjust his golf swing to account for his “imperfect left foot” while finding joy and success in competitions throughout New England. As a father of six, grandfather and uncle to multi generations, his counsel remained the same: work to provide for your family’s needs, and as many of their wants, as you can.

He leaves to cherish his memory his four sons, Kenneth Nixon of Sommerville, NJ, Ronald Nixon of Macon, GA, Norman Nixon (Debbie) of Santa Monica, CA, David Jackson (Joanne) of San Antonio, TX,  and one daughter, Tracy Nixon-Moore (Willis) of New Britain, CT; 20 grandchildren, Kyla Nixon, Lawrence Nixon, Kenneth Nixon Jr, Jeremy Nelson, Keith Nixon, Kyla Elise Nixon, Maria (Rita) George, Chelsea Gray Patterson, Chanis Nixon, James Nixon, Mary Jo Nixon, DeVaughn Nixon, Vivian Nixon, Norman Nixon Jr, David Jackson Jr, Alexis Jackson, Jamal Jackson, Maya Moore, Samantha Moore, Willis Moore Jr; eighteen great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his wife Dorothy Almeda Nixon, his sisters, Lily Maude Nixon Colbert, Frances Nixon Evans; his brothers, Clarence Nixon, Lonnie Nixon, Alfred Nixon; his son Larry Nixon; granddaughters Stacy Nixon and Sahjah Nixon and his niece who was like a sister, Sarah Pitts Troutman.

Visitation hours will be Wednesday, May 31, 5:00 – 7:00pm at Erickson-Hansen Funeral Home, 411 South Main Street, New Britain, CT 06051.

Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, June 6, 2023 at Damascus CME Church in Lizella, GA.