Club, friends honor Nixon
By Antoinette Jackson Bullard Banner News

Left to right. Herb Jones, former student, Honoree Edwin Nixon, and 86-year-old G. W. "Wimpy" Atkins.

"I didn't know this many people liked liver and onions," Ed Nixon remarked to his wife Hestermae as they approached the dining room of the Emerald Bay Club.

As the couple stepped into the room, about 60 men and women stood up and applauded.

The 79-year-old resident was about to find out that, while liver and onions was the Thursday night special, a Roast of Ed Nixon was about to be served up.

On April 12, 2007, Midland dedicated the Hightower Track and Field Complex at Midland Memorial Complex.

The 2.1 million-regulation eight-lane Olympic caliber track bears signage honoring Edwin Nixon who spent three decades as Midland High School track coach.

Some Emerald Bay residents were able to attend the ceremonies but Jean Barkley and Jan Verzosa who organized this event felt a local celebration was in order.

Herb Jones, former student and now resident of Eagles Bluff, provided the most insight into Nixon's life before Emerald Bay.

"I was a student at Midland High School 48 years ago in 1959 when Coach Nixon was my track coach. He taught us if we worked, we could run with anyone. He put us all through difficult workouts. As a result, no team was in better shape. He got 100% out of us, and he did it with dignity and respect.

"During the 27 years he coached at Midland, his teams won and placed in the State Championships all but one year.

"What some of you may not know is that Coach Nixon produced five crosscountry state champions as well as a champions in seven other events.

"Back in 1949 when he won the college conference pole vault championship, he vaulted 14 feet 2 inches using a (precarious) bamboo pole.

"The lessons he taught me helped me throughout life and in business. Thank you Coach."

When Nixon retired from coaching and relocated to Emerald Bay in 1992, he became more active in golf.

Golfer Bob Hardy said, "When I first met him and asked him what he shot. Ed modestly answered '80'. After I played with him, I learned he wasn't acting modest- he was just plain lying."

Three years later he put his organizational skills to work in the informal dayto day operation of Nixon's Nooners.

The gathering of about 20 men plays the Emerald Bay golf course every Tuesday through Friday and tees off between 12 and 12:20 in the afternoon.

Member Bob Worshum called the Nixon Nooners, "a most successful golf group. People have been known to give up their tee times to the Nooners when there's a conflict. Now that's respect for a true gentleman."

"When I got ex-communicated from the Golden Tees and was told to go to the Nixon Nooners. I wondered exactly what these people did at Noon," joked Dr. Ed Verzosa. "I soon learned while exceptional people not only do things exceptionally well, they do ordinary things exceptionally well. That's Ed Nixon. He makes the difficult things, like his complex golf swing for example, look so simple."

Jeff King, spoke about Nixon's contribution to the Food Pantry. "For a less-than-tall person (5 foot 7 inches), Ed is a big organizer.

He pulls his team together, gets them there and keeps them working. On behalf of the 7,000 you have helped, thank you."

Ken Miller, a 2-year resident, said, "When I first moved here from out-ofstate, I knew no one. Thank you, Ed, for introducing me to a fine group of men who are now my friends."

Nan Lundahl, the only woman to speak, said she was dealing with a new task in her life, sitting alone at church.

Pointing out his compassion, she said Nixon asked her to join him and the other widows in his pew.

"We're proud to be known as Ed's Harem," she said gratefully.

David Liles said, "When I heard about the honor, I wondered how a man of such small stature had such a great big track named after him. I figured it out. He's got a big heart and a big mind. That track just fits him."

"He turns 80 years of age in June," noted emcee Jim Barkley. "But Ed's not the oldest active golfing member of the Nooners; 86-year old G. W. "Wimpy" Atkins is the oldest with 85-year-old Charlie Howard next in line.

Speaker Howard pointed out that Nixon may be younger "but he doesn't keep his clothes up to date. And, he has more shoes in his closet than my wife has."

Team member Don Bartley commented, "One time it had been raining, so I wore a pair of old shoes to the muddy course. I said something about it. 'So did I, said Ed'. I looked down at his feet. His shoes were older than I am and so highly polished they looked brand new.

"The man can make a pair of shoes last a lifetime."

Neighbor Bill Chapman said he had so much respect for Nixon that he "even took a shower before coming tonight. Ed is one of the best athletes I know. He still works out religiously and is a religious guy."

He added, "He's also the only guy I know who really likes liver and onions."

Emcee Barkley summarized the tone of the evening by expressing gratitude, congratulations and love from all who attended the dinner for the community hero. He then asked the coach to speak.

Taking the lectern, Nixon said, "I appreciate all the good things you said tonight.

I thank the Lord every night for providing me the opportunity to be here and to have you all as friends."

"Thank you," said the man of a few words but of many great deeds.

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Antoinette Jackson is a Bullard-area resident. You may reach her at Antojxn@aol.com.