Charles Nixon

COOLIDGE - Charles Edward Nixon, 82, of Coolidge died on Dec. 23, 2013, in Casa Grande.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at First Assembly of God in Coolidge, with Pastor Betty Miller officiating.

Mr. Nixon was born on May 28, 1931, in McCurtain, Okla., to Clarence R. and Pauline Poole Nixon, the oldest of five siblings. As a teenager he worked at a coal mine. In 1944 he and his family moved to Ajo, where he worked at the Phelps Dodge crusher until retiring in the 1980s. He attended the Assembly of God in Ajo until moving to the Coolidge area with his mother in 1988.

Like his siblings, he was a joker and loved playing pranks on people, especially his family. He and his family were music lovers, and he taught himself to play guitar. He gathered with siblings, cousins and friends for jam sessions on weekends. After moving to Eleven Mile Corner he joined Coolidge First Assembly of God. He joined Desert Country Musicians in Casa Grande to play guitar and sing, and he would often sing harmony with his sister. His favorite song was "Sweet Beulah Land." He played like a professional but chose to use his talent for the Lord.

Survivors include two brothers, Darel Nixon of Spiro, Okla., and Johnny Nixon of Kingman; a sister, Shirley Woodard of Coolidge; and 12 nieces and nephews whom he loved and spoiled. He was preceded in death by a brother, Ray Nixon.

J. Warren Funeral Services, Cole & Maud Coolidge Chapel is in charge of arrangements.