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Paul Nixon Obituary
February 5, 1937 - April 1, 2015
Friends and family across the City and beyond were stunned when they learned that Paul J. Nixon had passed on. Mentor, activist, scholar, teacher, community organizer, artist, patron, husband, father, and grandfather, Paul's kinetic presence and energy seemed too vital to ever come to a close. In his final hours, he was surrounded by family and friends who arrived to say their farewells to a great man.Born in Iowa, in 1937, young Paul's lungs forced the Nixon family to flee Midwestern winters for Phoenix, Arizona -then a city still cooled by swamp coolers. Leaving the desert on a diesel-powered U.S. Navy submarine, Paul arrived in beat San Francisco in 1958. He had found his home. The intellectual foment of the beat poets and the social revolution of the '60's laid the groundwork for Paul's emergence as a tireless advocate for social justice and education. In 1962, Paul discovered his gifts as a teacher while serving in the Peace Corps in Venezuela. He earned a master's degree in Humanities at S.F. State, and found a calling in serving immigrant populations as an ESL teacher through the San Francisco Community Colleges.
Paul never walked away from a fight. He was deeply involved in the Sanctuary Movement, the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition and the San Francisco Bay Area Water Trail program. A compadre to many in the Mission, he served for many years as an organizer and Board Member of the Jamestown Community Center, serving as a leader, guide and mentor to neighborhood youth.
Paul leaves behind his wife of 37 years, Pat García de Nixon, sister Jean Pagano, children Mark Nixon, Molly Nixon and Sofía Nixon, their spouses, and grandchildren Damien Cross, Yolotzin Cervantes, Hoyt Taylor and Fuller Taylor, as well as his life-long compadre Jim Whitten. His family, compadres and comadres will miss him dearly. His joy, exuberance, and wisdom are irreplaceable.
Visitation will be held at Duggan's Serra Mortuary Westlake on Thursday, April 9, 2015 from 4 pm - 9 pm, with special remembrance service at 7 pm. A funeral mass will be held at Mission Dolores on Friday, April 10, 2015 at 11 am, to be followed by interment at St. Anthony's Cemetery in Pescadero, California. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Paul's honor to the Jamestown Community Center, www.jamestownsf.org.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Paul Nixon
Sponsored by Duggan's Serra Mortuary - Daly City.
Rafael Yáñez
December 4, 2025
My name is Rafael Yáñez. I'm from Mexico City. In 1984 Paul visited my office for our magazine: " Educación de Adultos". Since that moment we started a friendship and visited together Oaxaca in Mexico. He invited me to visit San Francisco. Thank you, Paul, wherever you are! God bless my friend Paul J. Nixon.
Maury Sterns
June 13, 2015
Surprised to receive the sad news. I remember how Paul always seemed to be an upbeat guy with plenty of energy and dedicated to PC. He will be missed.
Elin and Bob Klaseen/Prokop
April 12, 2015
To Pat and family - Paul was a great neighbor. We lived on Fair Oaks Street 25 years ago and remember Paul for his boundless enthusiasm and positive energy.
Jim & carol Egoian
April 12, 2015
Love to all. Thinking of you.
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Jennifer Kim
April 11, 2015
Paul was such a wonderful person and I am honored to have been able to spend time with him, his family, and his compadre's family the Whittens. My deepest condolences to the Nixons.
Rose Vela
April 11, 2015
On behalf of my brother, Mauricio Vela, I would like to express my deepest condolences to the Nixon family. I know they worked together at Jamestown and he appreciated his support and work on his campaigns for the school board. My gratitude to a man, who gave back and shared his knowledge of experience. Rest in eternal peace.
Howard Wong
April 10, 2015
Paul had more energy and stamina than those half his age. Always admired his biking, kayaking and committment to improving our waterfront realm for future generations. Hard to believe he's gone---so suddenly. Will miss him on the Central Waterfront Advisory Group.
Betty Pazmiño
April 9, 2015
Paul Nixon - PRESENTE!
Paul Van Stavern
April 9, 2015
I remember Paul leading the resistance against Prop 187. He said, "There's no way we're going to let the Migra come in and check our students' IDs," and led by him, we didn't let it happen.
We did some great bike rides, too!
Rincon de Guayabitos,Nayarit, Mx
April 9, 2015
Paul was my hero for 20 years. He taught me political activism, the Nayarit riviera and how to enjoy a positive life. I will miss him every time I put a craft (windsurfer,kayak, SUP) into his beloved San Francisco Bay.
Bo Barnes SF, Ca
April 9, 2015
We are sorry to learn of the passing of Paul, but grateful for his service to our nation with the Peace Corps in Venezuela.
Our Condolences,
The National Peace Corps Association
April 9, 2015
Thank you , Paul. So much of your life was given to those who had less.
John & Mary (Buddy) Reid
April 9, 2015
I enjoyed all the stories Paul told while sitting around the dinner table when I was visiting San Fran. Always a delight and ever so humble.
V Moncada
April 8, 2015
Thoughts and prayers to the family. From NYC
April 8, 2015
Prayers to the Nixon family and my dear sister in faith, Cathy Kyle. Prayers and peace, Kelly Ausley-Flores and Joe, Jenae, and Hunter Flores
mike renquist
April 8, 2015
Peace and grace to the family and friends in honor and memory of a life well-lived.
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