Joseph Nelson"Nickie" Nix

Ivie Funeral Home announces services for Mr. Joseph Nelson "Nickie" Nix, age 72, who passed away on September 8, 2015 in Barrington, Illinois, after a fight with cancer. He was a resident of both Chicago, Illinois and Commerce, Georgia but was a proud son of Commerce where his early years were enjoyed with Nelson, Sr. and Marguerite Nix. He was an Honor Graduate of Commerce High School where he was a member of winning debate teams, the crack Tiger Band and class president. He continued his education at the University of Georgia in Athens where he earned Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts Degrees. Nelson was an able communicator during his career, a teller of stories and a columnist for the "Commerce News" in retirement. He delighted in staying in touch with Commerce area relatives, friends and associates and others he had known throughout his life. Relatives on both the Nix and Gainesville Parks sides of the family were loved and respected. Nelson, also known as Nickie, worked his way through school at several local businesses where he gained invaluable experience but was best known for his time as an air personality and news person with WJJC Radio beginning in high school and later college through graduate school. One of his work projects in grad school was a complete reset and modernization of the Commerce Police Department where he was a sworn officer. He was able to reorganize, retrain and reequip every member using funding he obtained from federal programs. He completed Air Force ROTC at the University achieving Cadet Lieutenant Colonel and was commissioned upon graduation. Among his contributions to the war effort was as liaison to the Angel Flight, a popular drill team made up of sorority women. He was very proud of his active duty service record which included a visible role in the exploits of a famous aircraft, the SR-71 Blackbird, which remains the world's fastest and highest flying jet. He was regularly seen on national media as spokesman for that program. Nelson attained the rank of Captain in three years and had a number of achievements during assignments with nuclear missile, bomber, fighter and tanker units and while deployed to Korea after the USS Pueblo incident where he was on the wing staff of Col. Chuck Yeager. A varied career after the military included marketing, communications and advertising positions with C&S National Bank, The Mead Corporation and Top Ten New York advertising agency N W Ayer where he supervised the entire southeastern region and was thrilled to work on launching the Volunteer Army with the Top Ten "Be All You Can Be" campaign. He was gratified that recruiting quotas in his area of responsibility were met for six years in a row. An offer from Backer, Spielvogel, Bates, the world's largest agency, led to a move to Chicago where he worked to get Hyundai automobiles established and later, was vice president of Burrell Communications, specializing in reaching ethnic markets. After working on a proposed new Chicago airport, he was recruited to manage Lake Point Tower, a landmark 70 story residential building on Lake Michigan where he also resided. Returning to work after a first retirement, he was able to pursue long held interests as Director of Training and Safety for the City of Chicago and Construction Manager for Hilton Hotels before retiring again. He also continued to be active in operations of Lake Point Tower on a volunteer basis. Nelson was a lifetime member of the Air Force Association, the USAF Blackbird Association and a number of professional and safety organizations including the Society of Professional Journalists and DiGamma Kappa Broadcasting Society. He is survived by a number of cousins, nieces and nephews primarily Georgia residents. Services for Joseph Nelson "Nickie" Nix will be on Sunday, September 13, 2015 at 3PM at the First Baptist Church of Commerce, with Dr. Carlton Allen officiating and assisted by Chief John Gaissert. Interment to follow at Gray Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Ivie Funeral Home from 1-2:30 prior to the service on Sunday. Ivie Funeral Home of Commerce is in charge of the arrangements. Donations to the Commerce First Baptist Church are encouraged.