Jackie Nix, lovingly known as “Preacherman,” “Taterman,” and “Junkman,” lived a life filled with faith, hard work, laughter, and a love for people that reached far beyond his own family.
He earned the name “Preacherman” because he shared Jesus with anyone who would listen. He was “Taterman” because he loved sitting along the side of the road selling sweet potatoes and other vegetables, and “Junkman” because he could find value in just about anything. He spent much of his life collecting aluminum cans and scrap metal, taking old items apart and turning them into a way to provide for his family. He also sold boiled corn and lemonade at festivals, surrounded by all sorts of sellable trinkets. Jackie was resourceful, hardworking, and always finding a way to make a living that would let him engage with as many people as possible.
Above all, Jackie loved God and loved people. He found ways to meet people wherever he went, and everyone he met became a friend. You didn’t have to be family for Jackie to love you. Countless people considered him a father figure because he wasn’t afraid to lovingly correct them, offer guidance, and show them how to walk with God through the example of his own life.
One of the greatest testimonies to Jackie’s faith was his nightly routine of reading his Bible and praying for everyone he could think of, calling them by name before God. His family remembers him doing this more than 40 years ago, when his children were small, and he continued until he was no longer able to speak. His life was a living example of what it means to love God and care deeply for others.
Jackie also loved to laugh and make others laugh. He was famous for telling jokes that weren’t always funny to anyone but him, and his laughter was so contagious that others couldn’t help but join in. He loved poking fun at people and kept his sense of humor until the very end. While some of his favorite hymns were being sung near the end of his life, he remarked, “They could really use some bass!” and laughed. It was a moment that perfectly captured his faith, his humor, and the joy he brought to those around him.
Jackie is survived by his loving wife, Loretta Nix; his children, Kary Galbreath and her husband, Brandon Galbreath; Danieale Leak; and Patrick Leak; his grandsons, Isaac Galbreath and Levi Galbreath; his sisters, Ruby Maples and Shelby Woods and sister-in-law, Gwen Tucker, brother-in-law, Chris Downey; and a host of dear friends of all ages who loved him as family.
He is preceded in death by his father, Lavon Ray Nix; mother, Clara Pauline Smith Nix; and his brothers, Billy Ray Nix and Robert “Cobb” Nix.
Jackie’s legacy is found not in the things he collected or the work he did, but in the lives he touched, the prayers he prayed, the laughter he shared, and the many people he pointed toward Jesus. He was a husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend, and faithful servant of God. He spent his life sharing the goodness of the Lord, and the love he gave so freely will continue to live on in the countless hearts he touched. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.
Services for Jackie will be Thursday, October 22 at Arab Heritage Memorial Chapel. Visitation will be12:00 noon and followed at 2:00pm with the funeral service. Reverand Jimmy Hamaker and Reverand Chris Jackson will officiate. Serving as pallbearers and honored to escort Jackie to his final resting place in Rice Cemetery are Gary Harvell, Gary Vaughn, Cory Mills, Adam Hamaker, Kris Gregg, Brayden Hallmark, Isaac Galbreath and Levi Galbreath. Honorary pallbearer is Donald Hallmark. Arab Heritage Memorial Chapel assisting with arrangements.
