Harry Mixon

Harry Nelson Mixon

October 28, 1948 - August 8, 2018

Former Prudential Corporate Counsel and renaissance man, Harry Nelson Mixon, Jr. died of unexpected medical complications in Oakland at the age of 69.

Harry Mixon elegantly moved among worlds of finance, spirituality and home – caring passionately for his loved ones, Samoyeds and fellow man. He touched many along the way who will fondly remember the kindness and grace of this Southern Gentleman.

Harry was born on October 28, 1948 in Ozark, Alabama, where there is a school named after his father and namesake, Harry N. Mixon. Harry Jr. was always the smartest guy in the class who also worked his way through school. He moved onto the University of Alabama for undergraduate and law degrees. It was there that he developed a lifelong passion for Crimson Tide football. Harry could never watch the games in real time. He needed to know that there was a positive outcome before turning on the game. Lucky for Harry, Alabama wins a lot.

After graduating from law school, Harry moved to the San Francisco Bay Area and passed the California Bar in late 1974. He worked briefly for a small law firm and relatively quickly found his way to Prudential where he spent 37 years. There, he specialized in real estate and finance and helped to create the San Francisco skyline as we know it today, starting with the Embarcadero Center. The holiday lights that outline the Embarcadero were Harry's idea.

Harry was a great lawyer and master negotiator. He mentored many along the way. Most who worked with him considered him also a good friend. He was honored as a member of the prestigious American College of Real Estate Lawyers.

There was much more to Harry than his career achievements. He was a generous, loving partner to Kate Steel for many years. He was an excellent, self-taught cook. He was a devoted dog dad to a series of Samoyeds. First there was Sheba, then Grace and lastly Mazie (aka Amazing Grace.) Harry would traipse the slopes of Mt. Tam, the beaches of Bolinas and the trails of Marin County and the East Bay hills on 10-12 mile walks with his beloved Samoyeds and friends.

Harry found a spiritual community and fellowship at age 58 attending Dharma talks, silent retreats, meditations and men's meetings. He lived in service to others and attempted to move from a human doing to a human being. He never failed to express his gratitude for the grace – expressed as unexpected gifts from God - revealed in everyday life. Grace gave him hope that he shared with others, and helped saved many lives.

Harry is predeceased by his father, Harry N. Mixon, his mother, Annie Smith Balckom, his very special grandmother, Julia Lois Mixon Burney, his sister, Sherrill Mixon Vinzant, his brother-in-law, William Drayton [Nip] Vinzant, his sister, Julia Mixon Fulcher, and his wife Helen Windham Mixon. He is survived by his cherished life partner, Kate Steel, Kate's son, Reilly Steel, his brother-in-law, Jerry L. Fulcher, his niece, Kiley Fulcher and his grandnephew, Anderson Lee Chiodo.

There will be a celebration of life on September 13, 2018, at 2:00 pm at Oakland Center for Spiritual Living, 5000 Clarewood Dr., Oakland CA. Donations: East Bay SPCA (Oakland CA) www.eastbayspca.org or Spirit Rock Meditation Center (Woodacre CA) www.spiritrock.org.