Joyce Ann Nixon

Joyce Ann Nixon, 84, passed away unexpectedly on June 18, 2020. She was born July 27, 1935 in Rock Creek, Kansas, to Margaret and Douglas Lester. She grew up and attended school in Topeka and graduated from Topeka High in 1953.

At Kansas State University she studied Home Economics and was a member of the Alpha Xi Delta Sorority. She met her future husband Paul when she was a sophomore and he was a junior; they married on July 20, 1956 at the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Topeka. Less than a year later she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Foods and Nutrition.

Between Paul’s commission in the Army and job at Phillips Petroleum, the young couple criss-crossed the country living in Borger, Texas; Alexandria, Virginia; Anchorage, Alaska (prior to statehood). They then returned to the Lower Forty-Eight residing in Kansas City, Wichita, and Colby, Kansas.

A few months after their fifth anniversary in 1961, they settled in Liberal, Kansas with their two daughters, Paula and DeAun, and started their own business—Nixon and Seaman Consulting Engineers. In 1964 their son, Steve, was born.

For 28 years they lived in Liberal, raising their children and building a business. Joyce joined the family business as the office manager in the 70s.

In 1990 they relocated to the Denver area and continued to provide engineering services with Nixon & Associates until retirement in 2011, celebrating 50 years in business.

They have lived just outside of Denver in Parker for the last 28 years.

As a child Joyce enjoyed life with her extended family in Topeka with lots of music—her mom was a piano teacher and Joyce played the oboe in the high school orchestra—and days spent outdoors, picnicking and fishing. One of her first big adventures was a road trip in the 40s when she was twelve to the Grand Canyon with her grandmother and sister. 

It was the same for her throughout her life. She enjoyed traveling—everything from attending the Winter Olympics in France to a laid-back road trip through the bluegrass region of Kentucky with stops along the way to see the horses. But she loved being home, visiting with family and friends, and always had a beautiful garden filled with hollyhocks, tall phlox, and roses. This year the patio is overflowing with her handiwork: petunias, marigolds, and dahlias, a haven for butterflies and hummingbirds.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Margaret; and her brother, Douglas. She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Paul; daughter Paula (David); daughter DeAun; son Steven; five grandchildren Austin, Nicholas, Lexi, Thomas, and Matt.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made in Joyce’s name to Mile High Equestrian & Rescue (www.milehighrescue.org) or to the charity of the donator’s choice. Family and Friends can sign an online guest book and post pictures at www.pfh-co.com

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