Glynda Darlene Nixon

Dede grew up and attended school in Friona, Texas, where she played basketball and was a member of FHA (Future Homemakers of America), FTA (Future Teachers of America), and was voted to the Homecoming Court & elected as FFA Sweetheart. She graduated from Friona High School in 1967 and attended cosmetology school after high school.

She married James I. Nixon January 11, 1972 in Belton, Texas. They had two children together: Kayce, born December 7, 1972 and Nick, born January 18, 1975. She was a Jack (or Jill) of all trades and did many interesting things for a living. She became an accomplished stylist and had her own business in Woodland Park, Colorado in 1977, alongside her husband’s real estate business. When they moved back to Amarillo, Texas, she worked on horseback at the Big Texan, lending authenticity, horse rides, and smiles to those coming to the restaurant for a true Texas experience. As petite as she always was, she also drove big rig trucks for some time, taking after her mother. Throughout her life, she worked at Fortune 100 companies in customer service and retired from a dispatcher position with Culligan of Austin in 2015.

Dede believed in giving back to her community and was a Brownie & Girl Scout troop leader from 1978-1987, teaching morals, skills, kindness, service, independence, and leadership to many young girls. In recent years, she enjoyed reconnecting to many of these ladies on social media. She went on to be active in Round Rock High School Band Boosters for her daughter and in Round Rock High School Gymnastics Club for her son. Ever the ‘Mom’ of many, she led the family to open their home for over 25 years to various young people, from family to friends, to help in whatever way they could.

Dede was an avid horse lover and barrel racer. She won competitions, prize money, and belt buckles at local rodeos and trained many horses in the 1990’s in Texas and New York. Her unique sense of style and home décor allowed for her barrel racing saddle to live proudly on display in her living room for roughly 16 years, along with all things country, including boots, horses and anything representing the great state of Texas. When she wasn’t on a horse, she was out boot scootin’ and teaching country & western dancing around Austin, and at the world-famous Broken Spoke.

She was a true Texan, through and through, with a never-wavering love of Cowboys football, UT football, Spurs basketball, and sports in general. Loving sports was a way of life for her, and if there was a way for her to attend a game, football or basketball, she took that opportunity. When college or professional games were on TV, she was watching or recording it.

In September of 2017, she was able to attend her 50 year high school reunion in Friona, Texas and had a wonderful time. She got to spend time with all her friends from school, attend a high school football game, and enjoyed a parade in the 50 year alumni’s honor.

Dede was a loving mother and a loyal friend. She was well-liked and respected and touched many lives in different ways. She led a very active life and enjoyed it to the fullest. She was fun and witty, quick to laugh and enjoyed a good beer right up to the end.

The family would like to thank every person who came to visit Dede with encouragement, love, prayers, songs, stories, treats, dinner or beer over her last three months. A heartfelt thanks to the attentive staff at Christopher House for their compassionate and gentle care.