Ross-Clayton Funeral Home, Inc. | Montgomery, AL

Obituary For Mr. Crispus Carey Nix

Mr. Crispus Carey Nix, a resident of Wetumpka, AL., passed away March 10, 2024. A graveside funeral service will be held Monday, March 18, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. in Alabama National Cemetery, Montevallo, AL.

OBITUARY

Colonel (U. S. Army, Retired) Crispus Carey Nix was born March 7,1931 to the late Comer Payton Nix and Jimmie Mae Ormand Nix in Greenville, Alabama in Butler County. He was the seventh of nine children born from this union.

Crispus was educated in the public school of Greenville, Alabama and graduated from Lomax-Hannon High School. After finishing high school, he was drafted and served as an Infantryman in the Korean War. Using his GI Bill, he attended Tuskegee Institute (now Tuskegee University) and received a Bachelor of Science Degree. He became a Distinguished Military Graduate and achieved the honor of becoming the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Battalion Commander. He was the first Tuskegee ROTC student to receive a Regular Army Commission in the Military Police Corps.

Over the years, while serving in the Army, he received additional training and education from the Military Police Officer School Career Course, Fort Gordon, Georgia, the Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas and a Master of Science Degree in Vocational Rehabilitation, South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, South Carolina.

Colonel Nix served in key military law enforcement positions throughout the United States, Europe and the Far East to include: Commander, Correctional Facility, Fort Sheridan, Illinois; Deputy Provost Marshal, I Corps, Republic of Korea; Troop Commander, First Guard Company (now the 705th Military Police Battalion), U.S. Disciplinary Barracks, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; Area Provost Marshal of Military Region IV, Republic of Vietnam; Provost Marshal, Fort Jackson, South Carolina; Provost Marshal, 2nd Infantry Division, Republic of Korea; and both Deputy Commandant and Commandant, U.S. Disciplinary Barracks, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

Colonel Nix served in both the Korean and Vietnam wars and during his military service earned numerous awards and decorations. Chief among them: the Legion of Merit; the Bronze Star Medal; the Meritorious Service Medal; the Army Commendation Medal; the Parachutist Badge and the US Army Combat Infantry Badge.

Upon retiring from the military, he accepted a civilian position as the Warden of the only maximum-security facility in Fort Madison, Iowa. He was the first black Warden in the state of Iowa.

Colonel Nix is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated, the American Correctional Association, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Retired Military Police Officers Association, The Veterans of Foreign Wars, and many other social and political organizations.

On November 23, 1957, he married his college sweetheart, Edna E. Bailey of Meridian, Mississippi, who was a student at Tuskegee University.

He is survived by his son, Christopher David Nix; sister-in-law: Annie Nix of Garfield Heights, Ohio; brother-in-law, Melvin Brown of Saint Paul, Minnesota and a host of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father and mother; his wife of 61 years, Edna Bailey Nix; brothers: Fleming, Pettis, Roscoe and Comer; sisters: Eunice Imogene Armstrong, Edith Frances Tolliver, Portia Vashti McElrath, and Anita Mae Jackson.

Crispus was an excellent student who lettered in football for the Golden Tigers and was inducted into the Tuskegee Athletic Hall of Fame and the Tuskegee Tiger Battalion ROTC Hall of Fame. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Tuskegee University.

Guest Book

My condolences to the entire Nix family on the passing of Cris. He and I were fellow Wardens in Iowa during the entire time he was in Iowa. He brought needed structure to his institution and, in addition, was a delightful person to spend time with at mutual meetings. He lived a full and meaningful life to his military and correctional community and provided a lasting legacy.

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To Our Family I extend Heart Felt Condolences On Behalf of the Sylvester Nix branch of the family tree. Sylvester and Comer Nix were Brothers.

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As a state prosecutor in Fort Madison in 1985-86, I worked on criminal matters arising at the penitentiary. During that time I came to know Colonel Nix well and to respect him deeply. He was a demanding leader, but a fair and thoughtful one. He is among the most memorable individuals I have ever met. My wife and I looked forward to hearing from Crispus and Edna every Christmas over the following decades. Our condolences go to the family of this wonderful man.

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I was a classmate of Chris Nix at Fort Madison High School. I wanted to let Chris and his family members know of my condolences for their loss. My prayers are with you all! Lisa Hoenig Pomberg, FMHS Class of 1987

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Deepest Sympathy to the entire Family of Mr. Crispus C Nix. Praying that God will comfort and strengthen each of you during this difficult time. Mr. Nix was truly a kind, intelligent and true gentleman Thank you for your service Mr. Nix.

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Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.

- Ross-Clayton Funeral Home, Inc. | Montgomery, AL

- Janet M Tucker