Former Georgia State School Superintendent Jack Nix always said education was something no one could take away from you, his daughter Phyllis Graham said.
Grandchild Graham Nix added, “Papa taught me that you have to work hard to succeed at anything you do.”
Born in the North Georgia foothills in the little town of Cleveland, Nix went to the University of Georgia, graduated and then served in the U.S. Army as a 1st Lieutenant during World War II. He returned from the Army and dedicated his career to education.
Nix first taught Agriculture in Habersham and Banks County before serving as School Superintendent of Banks County. He moved up the ladder, serving as the state Supervisor of Teacher Certification and state Director of Vocational Education.
He held the state’s highest educational post, serving as the Georgia State School Superintendent from 1966 until his retirement in 1977.
“He always put children first,” said his colleague Anne Raymond. “He was a good boss, in the best sense of the word.”
During his tenure as superintendent he was instrumental in adding a statewide kindergarten program, reducing the student-teacher ratio, and improving student testing scores and teacher pay. He oversaw an expanding vocational school system — 18 were built across Georgia during his administration.
“You couldn’t find a more loving and trusting person,” said his colleague Ellis Bateman. “He was very proud of helping schools and kids of Georgia.”
He received honorary doctorate degrees from Piedmont College and John Marshall Law School. Residents of White County named a local school after him. Also the Atlanta Area School for the Deaf named its student services building after Nix.
When Nix retired from education, he said he hoped, ‘…that I have made some contribution to the children of my state’,” Graham said.
Jack P. Nix of Atlanta and Cleveland died Friday of natural causes. He was 93. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday at First Baptist Church of Cleveland, 25 Church St., Cleveland.
“If I learned one thing from him it was to treat every person kindly, trust them, and each person should be respected,” said his son Jack Nix Jr. “He valued every human being and treated people fairly.”
In addition to his daughter and son, Nix is survived by his wife of 69 years Ruby Nix, sisters Ann Skelton and Ruth Gurley, six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
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