Nix, Leonard R.
d. August 13, 2013
Nix, Leonard R.
Leonard R. Nix - age: 94
(March 20, 1919 to August 13, 2013 )
Resident of Ukiah, California
Obituary:
Leonard R. Nix passed away peacefully on August 14th. Leonard, who was fondly known as "Poppi" to his beloved granddaughters had lived in Ukiah area since the late 1930's. He met and married Roberta "Bobbie" Dalstrom in 1942. Leonard served in the Army Corps during WWII as an airplane mechanic. Bobbie traveled to Alamogordo N.M. where Leonard was stationed to be with him until the end of the war.
After the war Leonard and Bobbie returned to Ukiah, where Bobbie was born and raised. They started the Mayflower moving and storage business on Gobbi Street, purchasing a property from Bill Bittenbender and building offices and a warehouse on the site. Leonard and Bobbie were vibrant members of the Ukiah community for many years. In the early 1950's Leonard sold his moving business, became a real estate salesman, working for Laura Long, at O.E. Long Realty. In 1956 he opened his own real estate office on South State Street in the Ceicil Hotel building and in 1959 he purchased a building in the 500 block of N. State Street, moving his offices there. Also, in the 1950's he was one of the developers/owners of Bel Arbers Subdivision in Redwood Valley. He was active in the real estate business until the 1980's, and served as President of the Mendocino County Board of Realtors as well as being a State Director for the California Association of Realtors.
In the early 1960's he, along with local attorney Hal Brunner, formed Mendoyma Corporation. That corporation leased the western shore and foothills of Lake Mendocino from the Army Corps of Engineers. They developed a long range plan for the property which called for a 40 berth marina with snack bar and gas pumps, vacation rentals, horse trails, a restaurant, and riding trails. The 40 berth marina was built by Crane of Ukiah and installed near the south boat ramp, remaining there for many years. The project became entangled with legal issues and none of the other plans were ever realized.
Leonard served on the Ukiah City Council and as Mayor of Ukiah from 1954 until 1955. He was proud that he was instrumental in obtaining Dawn Redwoods from China, which now grow on the court house lawns as well as at Todd Grove Park. During his term as mayor he was also instrumental in obtaining street lighting for the residential areas and for the original expansion of the city sewer facility.
Leonard was involved in many groups and organizations in the Ukiah area. He was a Charter Member of the Ukiah Host Lions Club, and served a term as President of that club. He was Commander of the American Legion Post here in Ukiah and was an officer in the Abell Lodge #146 F. & A.M. He was also Chairman of the Ukiah Airport Commission. Leonard loved flying, was a pilot, and owned his own airplanes from the late 1940's until the late 1960's.
In later years he enjoyed his 60 acres located above the County Road to Lake Pillsbury. He developed a Tree Farm there and at one time logged Pine and Fir trees from the property. He and Bobbie had many 4th of July celebrations for friends and family at that property.
Leonard and Bobbie lived on Mae Street for 30 years where their children, Gary and Jim, grew up. It was a special place, with 27 children almost all the same age, living closely together. The adults all were good friends, having many fun evenings with pot luck dinners at one another's homes/pools. Those friendships continued for a lifetime.
The joy of Leonard’s life was his two granddaughters, Julie and Alisa. He would light up when they called or came into the room. They were devoted to Poppi and visited him often at Dalistan's Care Home over the last 7 years.
After Bobbie passed away in 2000, Leonard courted Dorothea Parsons and they spent several years traveling and enjoying life. When Leonard's health declined Dorothea was a daily visitor and up until a week before his death would take him out for week end rides and for meals.
Leonard is survived by his son Gary Nix, partner Tom East, son Jim Nix, wife Anne Nix, his granddaughters, Julie Nix and Alisa Nix, sisters Ruby Leek, Helen Banks, Marie Daniels, Minnie Nix-McQueary, Carol Marshall, brothers JD Nix and BH Nix. A celebration of life will be held at the home of Gary Nix and Tom East, 9680 East Road Potter Valley, CA on September 7th at 3:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers donations are requested for the Mendocino College Foundation 3000 Hensley Creek Road Ukiah, CA 95482 Attn: Katie Fairbairn
(March 20, 1919 to August 13, 2013 )
Resident of Ukiah, California
Obituary:
Leonard R. Nix passed away peacefully on August 14th. Leonard, who was fondly known as "Poppi" to his beloved granddaughters had lived in Ukiah area since the late 1930's. He met and married Roberta "Bobbie" Dalstrom in 1942. Leonard served in the Army Corps during WWII as an airplane mechanic. Bobbie traveled to Alamogordo N.M. where Leonard was stationed to be with him until the end of the war.
After the war Leonard and Bobbie returned to Ukiah, where Bobbie was born and raised. They started the Mayflower moving and storage business on Gobbi Street, purchasing a property from Bill Bittenbender and building offices and a warehouse on the site. Leonard and Bobbie were vibrant members of the Ukiah community for many years. In the early 1950's Leonard sold his moving business, became a real estate salesman, working for Laura Long, at O.E. Long Realty. In 1956 he opened his own real estate office on South State Street in the Ceicil Hotel building and in 1959 he purchased a building in the 500 block of N. State Street, moving his offices there. Also, in the 1950's he was one of the developers/owners of Bel Arbers Subdivision in Redwood Valley. He was active in the real estate business until the 1980's, and served as President of the Mendocino County Board of Realtors as well as being a State Director for the California Association of Realtors.
In the early 1960's he, along with local attorney Hal Brunner, formed Mendoyma Corporation. That corporation leased the western shore and foothills of Lake Mendocino from the Army Corps of Engineers. They developed a long range plan for the property which called for a 40 berth marina with snack bar and gas pumps, vacation rentals, horse trails, a restaurant, and riding trails. The 40 berth marina was built by Crane of Ukiah and installed near the south boat ramp, remaining there for many years. The project became entangled with legal issues and none of the other plans were ever realized.
Leonard served on the Ukiah City Council and as Mayor of Ukiah from 1954 until 1955. He was proud that he was instrumental in obtaining Dawn Redwoods from China, which now grow on the court house lawns as well as at Todd Grove Park. During his term as mayor he was also instrumental in obtaining street lighting for the residential areas and for the original expansion of the city sewer facility.
Leonard was involved in many groups and organizations in the Ukiah area. He was a Charter Member of the Ukiah Host Lions Club, and served a term as President of that club. He was Commander of the American Legion Post here in Ukiah and was an officer in the Abell Lodge #146 F. & A.M. He was also Chairman of the Ukiah Airport Commission. Leonard loved flying, was a pilot, and owned his own airplanes from the late 1940's until the late 1960's.
In later years he enjoyed his 60 acres located above the County Road to Lake Pillsbury. He developed a Tree Farm there and at one time logged Pine and Fir trees from the property. He and Bobbie had many 4th of July celebrations for friends and family at that property.
Leonard and Bobbie lived on Mae Street for 30 years where their children, Gary and Jim, grew up. It was a special place, with 27 children almost all the same age, living closely together. The adults all were good friends, having many fun evenings with pot luck dinners at one another's homes/pools. Those friendships continued for a lifetime.
The joy of Leonard’s life was his two granddaughters, Julie and Alisa. He would light up when they called or came into the room. They were devoted to Poppi and visited him often at Dalistan's Care Home over the last 7 years.
After Bobbie passed away in 2000, Leonard courted Dorothea Parsons and they spent several years traveling and enjoying life. When Leonard's health declined Dorothea was a daily visitor and up until a week before his death would take him out for week end rides and for meals.
Leonard is survived by his son Gary Nix, partner Tom East, son Jim Nix, wife Anne Nix, his granddaughters, Julie Nix and Alisa Nix, sisters Ruby Leek, Helen Banks, Marie Daniels, Minnie Nix-McQueary, Carol Marshall, brothers JD Nix and BH Nix. A celebration of life will be held at the home of Gary Nix and Tom East, 9680 East Road Potter Valley, CA on September 7th at 3:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers donations are requested for the Mendocino College Foundation 3000 Hensley Creek Road Ukiah, CA 95482 Attn: Katie Fairbairn
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Nix, Leonard R., please visit our flower store.
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