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Jess Seth Nicks

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Glendale High School Arizona State University

Jess Nicks Obituary

Jess Seth Nicks, 80, of Scottsdale, AZ, passed away August 10, 2005. He was born on July 2, 1925 to Aaron Jess "AJ" Nicks and Effie Heaton Nicks. As an Arizona native, Jess attended Peoria Elementary, and graduated from Glendale High School in 1943. Jess joined the Navy in 1943, serving his country as a Chief Warrant Officer for a tour of duty. After the service, he attended ASU in 1946-1947. Jess met his wife, Barbara in July, 1947, and they were married a month later. Jess began his career as a distributor with Lucky Lager. He became the President of Armour-Dial and Executive Vice-President of Greyhound, and was responsible for moving the headquarters of both corporations to Phoenix. In addition, he took great pride in being on the Board of Directors of the Arizona Heart Foundation for over 30 years. As Chairman of the Board, Jess worked tirelessly to bring the best of the best to Arizona, and to help put an end to a disease that has taken so many of his own friends and family. After retiring in 1974, Jess began a new career as a music promoter by owning and operating Compton Terrace, where Arizona enjoyed a wide array of rock and roll bands. After retiring for a second time, he spent his days golfing at the Paradise Valley Country Club, where he was a member for many years, fished, and went on many dune-buggy trips with his family and friends, (those who could keep up with him!). From his late 70's until his passing, he was often on the road with his son and daughter on the Fleetwood Mac tours, as well as Stevie's solo tours. With all of Jess' accomplishments, to those who knew him best, he was to the end most of all, a "Regular Guy." Jess is survived by his wife of 58 years, Barbara Meeks Nicks, daughter Stevie, son Christopher, daughter-in-law Lori, granddaughter Jessica, sister-in-law Carmal, and nieces and nephews, along with a large extended family. "To be a friend of Jess Nicks, was to be family." Jess was preceded in death by his two brothers and best friends, Bill and Gene Nicks. As Jess would want, in lieu of flowers and tears, a donation to and continued support of his beloved project the Arizona Heart Foundation would be a lasting wish. No public services will be held. Arrangements entrusted to Green Acres Mortuary.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Arizona Republic on Aug. 17, 2005.

Memories and Condolences
for Jess Nicks

Sponsored by anonymous.

24 Entries

Stephen Claude Larente

Planted Trees

Mark Everett

September 20, 2005

Barbara, Stevie and Christopher

I know of all the great work Jess did with the Heart Assoc. In fact, if it wasn't for the work and research of this great organization, I don't think I would be here today. I've lost my father and sister to genetic heart desease before they were 50 years old, I am 48.

My thoughts and prayers are with you always.

Jamie Lyn Riley

September 20, 2005

~Dearest Stevie and family~

My deepest sympathies to all of you. Jess was a great man who did many wonderful things for a lot of people. In your sorrow, celebrate his life, for it was a great one. I've been keeping you and your family in my prayers and wishing you peace, love, laughter and happiness. We all love you very much.

~ *Jamie Lyn* ~

Michael Krupinski

September 19, 2005

Dear Family... My thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this sad time. To know that Jess is in a better place and that someday we will all be together is a comforting thought. God Bless you.. Love in Christ.. MIKE

Gregg Davies

September 18, 2005

Mrs. Nicks, Stevie, Chris & Family,

Please accept my deepest sympathies regarding Mr. Nicks' passing. Although I never had the honor of meeting Mr. Nicks, from what I've heard and read, I must say he had to have been a great man. He and my father were distant cousins though they never met. His legacy shines through his talented family. May God continue to bless each of you.

Debra Morales

September 18, 2005

Barbara..Stevie..Christopher..how blessed you are to have loved this man you call Husband..Father..Friend.if only the rest of the world could have been so lucky!He waits for you..next to God..sits between the Angels & the Saints.Thank you Stevie for the music..thank you Barbara for the love.

barbara hylinski

September 13, 2005

as a survivor of a heart attack, i would like to thank mr.nick's family for all his dedicated work for the cause of healthier hearts

god bless you all

xo

Dawn

September 12, 2005

Dear Miss Stephanie Nicks ,

I wanted to express theloss of your father!!THe sadness that you and your family and friends must be feeling not only just for you but to your mom Barbara , your brother Christopher as well as his wife Lori . I also wanted to tell your little niece what a wonderful name she carries .

You personally and your family have endured so much pain as a family and (you) Stephanie as a woman . Your family has incredible strenghth and this will carry you through yet another trauma in your life !What does not kill us ,only makes us stronger !

God Bless you and your family!He can finally be in peace with the angels.

Sincerely

~~Dawn~~

angie otoole

September 4, 2005

Stevie and family,

My thoughts and prayers are with you at this very tough time. May god bless you.

Karen Robinson-Roach

August 27, 2005

To the Nicks family-I am so sorry to learn about your loss. I have been a fan of Stevie"s for over 20 years. And I am honored to have seen Jess Nicks introduce his daughter in concert at the Centrum in Worcester, Mass. I know that there are no right words to say at this time. I will keep you all in my prayers. Sincerely, Karen R

Debbie Leatherbery

August 25, 2005

To the Nicks family,

My heart and prayers go out to all of you during your time of sorrow.

God bless you and keep you in his peace. All my love to you.

Kristin Donahue

August 23, 2005

To the Nicks family, I am sorry for your loss. I do not know your family personally but I know Stevie thru her music. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this difficult time.

Kristin

Laurie Uebbing

August 23, 2005

I have been a fan of Stevie's for over 20 years, have come to be familiar with Chris (met him in 1986 on the Rock a Little Tour), sent a get well card when Stevie's mom was recovering from heart problems, have had masses said for Robin on Sept 11th of every year...Stevie my heart goes out to you and your family, I lost my father 3 years ago, it's not easy, but the love that surrounds you helps ease the pain....I will have masses said for your father and know I love you and pray for you and your family at this time!

lynn~

August 21, 2005

What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal.

ALBERT PIKE

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Our hearts are with each of you during this time.

Johnna

August 21, 2005

I dare pay tribute, as a stranger. Thank-you for two great contributions to music...Compton Terrace and STEVIE!!!

Jill Douglas

August 20, 2005

Barbra Stevie Chris Lori and Jessica

My heartfelt sypmathy to you at this time.Your husband and father touched many lives through his devotion not only to his charity work but also through his family.Bless you for sharing such a wonderful man with the rest of the world.

Bless those who mourn, eternal God,

with the comfort of your love

that they may face each new day with hope

and the certainty that nothing can destroy

the good that has been given. May their memories become joyful,

their days enriched with friendship,

and their lives encircled by your love.

Amen.

Roxie

August 20, 2005

~my thoughts and prayers are with your family~

Alison Elle Aleman

August 18, 2005

To Mrs. Nicks, and to Stevie and Chris--

Like many of Stevie's fans, I have felt like a part of her family and enjoyed reading anything I found about her mother and father. I remember praying for Stevie's mother and father following their heart surgeries. I know by listening to Stevie's lyrics and reading her writings, that her father Jess was a beautiful, spiritual old soul sent by God to give his family the unconditional love each one needed to be successful and soar in this world. I am Greek Orthodox--we Greeks have a saying when a loved one crosses over into Eternity: May your memory be eternal, dear Brother, for you are worthy of blessedness . . . . Love is so powerful, and the purest form of God's energy, that it transcends time, space, death. Stevie, Chris, Mrs. Nicks, my love and blessings to you and please know that I am lighting a candle before the icon of the Blessed Mother and Christ. I can see that Jess is standing at the right hand of God, watching over his family. love, Ali

michelle

August 18, 2005

my love and support oes to your family~

Mariah Fleming

August 18, 2005

Stevie,

When you have an opportunity perhaps you would appreciate the thank you tribute to your father: 'One Man Behind the Memories" that is posted on the Arizona Music Hall of Fame website. It is also posted on the KCAC Lives! blog.

I am proud to have worked at Compton Terrace... the wonderful music venue your father generously named to honor the legacy of Bill Compton. I still have a distinct "sense memory" of Fleetwood Mac's concert at Compton Terrace circa 1979 (?)...

When I saw that night, Arizona natives, father and daughter together, making something so meaningful happen, I thought how proud he must be of you.

"Our pain is the breaking open of the shell that encloses our understanding."K.Gibran

Rick Terry

August 18, 2005

Stevie I don't know where to start. I am so sad for you and your family. I did not know your father but from knowing you for 30 years I know he was a great man.

Please accept my sympathy and we know he is in a better place.

Gia Gaudet

August 18, 2005

Dear Stevie,

I am so sad to hear that your dad passed away. I know how much you loved him. I did get the chance to see him last year backstage in Camden, NJ. I wish I would have said hi and introduced myself to him. It was late and I didn't want to intrude. He looked so cute riding around in an electric cart. Pleae tell Jessie that I'm sorry that she lost her grandfather. You are always close at heart and only a hug away. Stay strong.

With much love to you and your family.

~Always~~Gia

Lyn Myers

August 17, 2005

Dear Barbara and family, What a wonderful man Jess was and you should be ever so proud! You are in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. Lyn Myers(Dr. Gerster's office) and husband Rick

Christie Ezekiel

August 17, 2005

Words cannot express the sorrow I feel for your family at this time. I have had the pleasure of meeting Jess a few times, while following a tour and at 3 previous AHI benefits. He was a wonderful man. A kind soul. Very warm and friendly. He will be dearly missed by all who have known him or have ever met him. Much love to you all.

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