Kenneth Jesse Nix

Kenneth Jesse Nix, Lt. Col., USAF (Ret.), passed away peacefully in Lehi, Utah, in the presence of his loving family on 17 March 2017. Kenneth was born to Jesse Henry and Leila Brady Nix in the pioneer farmhouse of his grandparents, Lindsay Anderson and Ellen Catherine Anderson Brady, on 23 December 1919. He grew up in Sandy, Utah and graduated from Jordan High School in 1937. Inducted into the Army on 12 February 1942, he married his sweetheart, Ruth Margaret Carlson, in a secret ceremony on 28 August 1942, a month before reporting to Officer Candidate School. Kenneth spent an honorable career serving his country, among other assignments, in Washington, D.C. (World War II), Châteauroux, France (Korean War), Nouasseur, Morocco, and Brigham Young University AFROTC (Vietnam War). Notable military accomplishments include the demonstration of British radar technology to the War Department and the first successful Army application of mobile radio with tactical aircraft. After his retirement in 1966, Kenneth developed and then taught the Junior ROTC program at Provo High School for nine years, reluctantly leaving his beloved cadets and the Junior Class to care for Ruth until her death on 14 November 1975. Kenneth remarried on 22 January 1977 to Patricia Patterson, sharing the next 40 years with her. Kenneth was active in the American Legion, serving as Commander in Orem for many years. He personally organized an honor guard for deceased veterans and participated in over 2000 graveside ceremonies. He will be remembered as a true example of Christ-like charity and service. Throughout his life, he shared his time, love, and resources with those less blessed, calling everyone his friend and bringing his wonderful smile and sense of humor into the lives of all those he touched. Kenneth is survived by his wife, Patricia Patterson Nix of Orem, Utah, and his three children, Kenneth Carl (Myrna) Nix of Lehi, Utah, Bryan Jesse (Faye) Nix of Woodbridge, Virginia, and Suzanne Nix Fisher of Salt Lake City, Utah, and three step-children, Zina Rae Engebretsen of Pasadena, California, Mark Eric (Lily) Engebretsen of Fort Mill, South Carolina, and Kjell Paul (Rebecca) Engebretsen of Provo, Utah, as well as 18 grandchildren and 17 step-grandchildren. His viewing will be held Thursday, 23 March 2017 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Sharon Park 3rd Ward, 310 North 100 East, Orem, Utah. Funeral services will be held at this same location on Friday, 24 March 2017 from 11:00-12:00 a.m., preceded by a viewing from 9:00-10:15 a.m. and a family prayer meeting from 10:30 to 11:00 a.m. The graveside service will start at 3:00 p.m. at the Sandy City Cemetery, 7th East 90th South, Sandy, Utah.

Kenneth Jesse Nix

December 23, 1919 - March 17, 2017