Benjamin Garrett Nix

Benjamin Garrett Nix, 65, of Benton, passed away peacefully in his sleep August 17 after a long battle with cancer. Ben is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Sarah Kathryn (Nix) and Donald Betzold; son and daughter-in-law, Eric Benjamin and Hailey Nix; daughter-in-law, Jennifer Pickett Nix; brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Julie Nix; sister and brother-in-law, Jena (Nix) and George Williams; and sister and brother-in-law, Vivian (Bibin) Nix and Eric Nelson. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Kathryn Ann Guenter Nix; son, Garrett Thomas Nix; parents, Benjamin Edison and Vivian Lucille Garrett Nix; and sister, Nancy Ann Nix Miller. Ben was a loving husband and father, a hard worker, an active volunteer for his church and community, and a fisherman. Outgoing and gregarious, he always wanted to know how you were and what was going on in your life. He seemed to know every back road and body of water in Arkansas and had at least one story about each one. Ben was happiest when he was surrounded by his family and when he was fishing. Annual summer trips to Stetson's on the White River with Kathy, his children, and their spouses were perhaps his happiest moments. Life just couldn't get any better than that. Ben graduated from Louisiana Tech University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1973. After working for General Electric Credit Corporation and Coca-Cola, Ben joined Sysco Foods where he served as Director of Credit until his retirement in 2012. Ben and Kathy chose Benton as their home in 1984 when twins Garrett and Sarah were just babies and Eric was not yet born. They joined the First United Methodist Church and began to make a life there. Ben often remarked that Benton had been very good to Kathy and him. They loved this town and its people. That love was returned many times over in the tremendous support for Ben and the entire Nix family during his illness. Our family thanks you. A visitation will be held Saturday, August 20 from 6-8 p.m. at Ashby Funeral Home, 108 W. Narroway, Benton, Ark. 72015. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, August 21 at 3 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 200 North Market Street, Benton, Ark. 72015. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to CJCOHN (CJCOHN Food Account, P.O. Box 1146, Benton, Ark. 72018) and Stone Soup, (c/o Quapaw Quarter United Methodist Church, 1601 S. Louisiana, Little Rock, Ark. 72206). Online guest book at www.ashbyfuneralhome.com.