Coy Madison Nixon, Jr.

Coy Madison Nixon Jr., 100, a lifelong resident of Pine Bluff died Friday, December 7, 2018 at Pleasant Valley Nursing and Rehabilitation of Little Rock. Born in Pine Bluff, October 6, 1918, Mr. Nixon was the eldest of four sons of Willie Belle Mason Nixon and Coy Madison Nixon, Sr. He graduated Pine Bluff High School in 1936 and earned his BA from Arkansas State Teachers College in Conway. He was selected as an outstanding student by his peers in 1939. He served as president of the senior class and won the Arkansas state debate tournament and the Jacksonville Mississippi Invitational. He helped transform Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity as president, later helping to expand and initiate new members in surrounding states. Following college, Mr. Nixon enlisted in the U. S. Army in July 1942 serving until 1946. During this time, Sergeant Nixon also earned his LLB from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock School of Law and was admitted to the Arkansas Bar Association. In 1945, Sergeant Nixon married Agnes O. Coffman of Keo. They raised one son, John Coy Nixon. Together they founded Nixon's Rental Center in 1954. They were pioneers in a new industry that helped satisfy Coy's love of gadgets. They were featured several times in RER (Rental Equipment Register), Trade Talks and Rental Age. One notable spread featured their unique billboard campaign entitled "Selling Themselves" using caricatures of themselves and local people. Subsequent articles chronicled the rebuilding of the original store that burned, detailing the process of getting back on their feet and relating the generous help from the community and other industry friends. He was active in the American Rental Association, and later established Mid-South Rental Association where he served as its first president. Coy was a member of First Presbyterian Church and served on the board of deacons, was president of Pine Bluff Downtown Lions Club, chairman of the board of the Pine Bluff Salvation Army and Pine Bluff Chamber of Commerce. He held several offices of the Pine Bluff Civil Service Commission for thirteen years, including the head of the commission. He retired as CEO of Nixon's in 1988. He maintained his love of hunting, fishing, storytelling, one liners, sense of humor and kindness for others. Coy was fondly known as "Daddy Coy" or "D-Coy" to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a Christian man who set a good example for all. He was preceded in death by his wife, Agnes Nixon; son, John Coy Nixon; and an infant daughter. Survivors include his daughter-in-law, Jan McBrayer Nixon, grandchildren, Sarah Fallon (Jonathan), John Coy "Nick" Nixon, Jr. (Stephanie), Marcus Andrew "Marc" Nixon (Margery Aaron) and his great-grandchildren: Emily, Haley and Harrison Fallon, Holly, Coy and Beau Nixon and Madison Nixon and the loving relatives of his late brothers Buddy, Allen and Robert Nixon. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, December 12, 2018 in the Chapel of Ralph Robinson and Son in Pine Bluff with visitation starting at 12:30 p.m. Interment will follow in Graceland Cemetery. Memorials, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Presbyterian Church, Trinity Retirement Village or the Salvation Army of Pine Bluff. Online register: www.ralphrobinsonandson.com.