John Kenneth "Ken" Nixon

John Kenneth “Ken” Nixon, 80, of Cedar Point, North Carolina, went home to be with the Lord on December 18, 2024. 

A graveside service, with military honors, will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, December 27th at Gethsemane Memorial Park. The family will receive friends the following day from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., Saturday, December 28th at the family home in Cedar Point. For those unable to attend his graveside service, it can be viewed through his obituary page on Munden Funeral Home’s website. The service will remain on the Funeral Home website for 90 days. 

How do you say goodbye to a husband of 60 years, a father that hung the moon, a loving brother, grandfather, uncle, and a friend that would give you the shirt off his back? The thought of not seeing his smile, getting a hug the moment you walk in the door, or laughing at his witty remarks has broken us all into a million pieces. He will be missed by all that knew and loved him; and if you knew him, you loved him.

Ken was born and raised in Greensboro, NC where he met and married the love of his life, Phyllis, in 1964. They tried four times for a son but ended up with “four perfect daughters”. He was outnumbered with five women in his house and often had to take a number and stand in line for the bathroom. He loved his family beyond measure and was willing to sacrifice his time, and as he would say, his “jack-of-all trades and master of none” talents to help his girls with whatever they needed. He could fix anything, nothing was too old, too broken, or too used that he could not work his magic to fix. He didn’t stop with family; he went out of his way to do for others and even strangers experienced his big heart and generosity. The man never knew how to say no if someone needed him, and he will be remembered for his countless acts of giving to others.

At various stages of Ken’s life he spent his “freetime” fishing, flounder gigging, doing dare-devil tricks on water skis, playing his guitar, beating his sons-in-law at cornhole, tinkering in his shop, drinking coffee on the porch, smoking a cigarette, riding in the golf cart, sharing sunsets on the beach with Phyllis in his old red jeep, or talking politics with anyone that shared his love of country. He never met a stranger and could strike up a conversation with anyone; his “nice to meet you” turned into friendships that have lasted a lifetime.

He proudly served in the United States Airforce during Vietnam and later retired civil service. He honored other war veterans and service members through his support of Wreath’s Across America and Tunnel to Towers. He always said he took the oath to the Constitution of The United States of America and would defend her still today. He was a patriot and believed this country was, and is, worth fighting for.

Ken was a Deacon and Elder at Wildwood Presbyterian Church in Newport, NC, where he and Phyllis have been members since moving to Carteret County. 

Ken leaves behind a legacy of standing up for what you believe in, doing what’s right even when no one is looking, making good on your word, doing for others, and most importantly loving the Lord. He is preceded in death by his parents, Marshall Nixon and Margaret Nixon Mitchell. Those remaining to cherish his memory are his loving wife, Phyllis Cummings Nixon, daughters Michelle (Mikki) Nixon Cardwell (Greg) of Tulsa, OK, Wendy Nixon Osterhus (Mike) of Broad Creek, NC, Carrie Nixon Ulery (Mike) of Arlington, TX, and Stacy Nixon Tripp (Scottie) of Newport, NC; sister, Carolyn Chapman of Indian Trail, NC; grandchildren, Samantha Tripp, Emily Osterhus, Raven Stivers, John-Michael Chadwick, Jake Ulery, Jordan Ulery, Thad Cardwell, and Monica Edwards; 9 great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Highland Blvd., Staten Island, NY 10306 or Samaritan’s Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607.

Friends and friends are welcome to submit online condolences at www.mundenfuneralhome.net.

Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home and Crematory, Morehead City, N.C.