Lowell Nix, Sr.

Lowell Edsel Nix, Sr., 80, husband of Gloria Greenwade Nix, passed away in Brenham on July 8, 2012 at Bluebonnet Care Center. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, July 11, 2012 at Memorial Oaks Chapel, with Charlie Matejowsky officiating. Burial will follow in Prairie Lea Cemetery. The family will receive friends and relatives from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 10, 2012 at Memorial Oaks Chapel. Lowell was born March 6, 1932 in Texarkana, Ark. to Owen Lee and Emma Sue Vanderbilt Nix. At age 5, he moved to Hope, Arkansas, and was educated in Hope Public Schools, where he played in the band in the ninth and tenth grades. After graduation from Hope High School in 1950, he met Gloria Greenwade in Brenham, when Brenham hosted the National Baseball Congress tournament. He received the most valuable pitcher award at this tournament, pitching for the Texarkana Red River Bombers. From 1950 to 1954, he attended the University of Arkansas on a baseball/football scholarship. Lowell also played basketball there for two years, graduating in 1954 with a B.S. degree. After coaching for one year in Arkansas, he entered the Air Force, serving from 1955 until 1957. Lowell was stationed at a Strategic Air Command base at Barksdale AFB as a First Lieutenant in Special Services, also serving as the base athletic officer and Special Secret Courier. In 1955, Edsel was drafted by the Dodgers, but after one season, he decided this salary was not enough to support his family. While at the University of Arkansas, Edsel also played intramural sports, including bowling and tennis. While on campus, he and a teammate walked to church each Sunday morning to sing in the choir. On November 26, 1955, Edsel and Gloria married, and Lowell, Jr. was born in 1957. After discharge from the military, Edsel moved to Athens, Texas, coaching at Henderson Jr. College now known as Trinity College. While in Athens, a son, Bryan, was born in 1959. Edsel coached in Weimar, and son Carl was born in 1963. Next, Edsel accepted a coaching position in the Aldine ISD, where he served for ten years. In 1970, their son, James, was born in Brenham. The family moved to Brenham in 1976. Edsel received his Master''s degree in biology from Texas State University and in the 80''s, he received certification in Special Education. In retirement, he enjoyed ranching in the Long Point area, spending time hunting and fishing. His greatest joy was coaching young people in baseball. After 39 years of teaching and 35 years of coaching, he retired. A high point in his career as teacher and coach was leading two teams to the Little League World Series. He was a member of First Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife, Gloria of Brenham, sons and daughters-in-laws: Lowell and Karen Nix of Brenham, Carl and Heidi Nix of Houston, Stan and Susan Nix of Hope, Arkansas, and James and Lisa Nix of Brenham. Also surviving is a sister and brother-in-law, Rev. Robert and Wanzell Rodriguez of Little Rock. He was preceded in death by his parents, a son Bryan Nix, brother Dr. John Nix, mother-in-law and father-in-law B.P. and Florence Greenwade, and a brother-in-law, Bryan Greenwade. Memorials may be made to a charity of your choice. Funeral arrangements for Lowell Nix Sr. are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 W. Main, Brenham. To post a tribute to the family, visit www.memorialoakschapel.com