Donald H. Nixon

Donald "Don" "Donnie" H. Nixon, of Oldtown, passed away peacefully on April 6, 2025 at the age of 88. Don was a native of Oldtown, having lived there in his early and late years of life. He was born September 25, 1936, in Cumberland, Maryland to Wilbur (Nick) Nixon and Dorothy (Shrout, Nixon) Hose who predeceased him. Don is also preceded in death by his brother, Kenneth Nixon.
Don had a very sad event in his life He had a daughter, Carol Ann Nixon, who was killed at the age of 21. He wanted her ashes buried with him, but after a house fire, her ashes couldn't be found. Some of her jewelry that he had of hers will be in the urn with him. Her name will be on a tombstone next to his tombstone at a family plot in Mt. Olive cemetery in Oldtown where some of his ashes will also be spread.
And of course, we must remember his loyal canine companion, Towser, who went everywhere Don did.
In 1953, Don enlisted in the Maryland National Guard where he served for 10 months before graduating from Oldtown High School in 1954. Shortly after graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, where Don served 30 months of his three-year enlistment in the Occupation of Germany.
After his honorable discharge, he attended the University of Maryland, where he earned his B.S. degree in business. He started his first career as a computer programmer/systems analyst with Eastman Kodak in Rochester, New York in 1961.
From Eastman Kodak, he accepted a position as head of Data Processing for the Bendix-Scintilla corporation, leaving there to accept employment as head of Systems and Programming for Documentation, Inc. in Bethesda, Maryland in 1965. In 1968, he left Doc Inc. to begin his own computer business, Computer Information Systems Corporation (CISCO) which he eventually sold to ADP corporation. He subsequently formed Translation Systems, Inc. (TSI). With Don's leadership, Translation Systems developed the real-time closed captioning technology now available on every TV screen. In 1985, Don sold the rights to his captioning technology to the National Captioning Institute and the major television networks as well as other businesses and governmental agencies. The technology is still used today on national television and in court rooms all over the country.
In 1987 at the age of 50, Don enrolled at the University of Maryland School of Law to pursue a lifelong dream to become an attorney. Upon being admitted to the Bar in June of 1990, Don in his usual entrepreneurial fashion, opened a solo law practice in Rockville, Maryland specializing in business and employment law. For the next 31 years, he practiced law, retiring in 2021.
Throughout his life, Don embraced adventure. He owned and piloted three different airplanes, flying around the country for both business and pleasure. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved to fish and hunt. He enjoyed fishing trips to Canada with close friends – Ron and Becky, Danny and Murphy – and his beloved wife, Linda. He also enjoyed hunting on his property and elk hunting in Colorado with friends and family.
Don was a proud veteran and dedicated member of veterans' organizations. He was elected and served as the Commander of the Oldtown VFW Post 9451 for nine years. Some of his ashes will be scattered at the VFW memorial which he was very instrumental in creating. He also held the position of Advocate for American Legion Post 24 in Frostburg, Maryland, and served as Judge Advocate for District 3 of the VFW, Department of Maryland.
Don is survived by the love of his life and soulmate, Linda Susan Nixon, who brought him immense joy and was the inspiration and support for his journey into law. He also leaves behind his two sons, Gregory (Tamera) and Brian Nixon; and three stepchildren, Stephen Jones (Tammy), Jennifer Manchester, and Wesley Lumsden. He was a proud grandfather to Kevin Nixon (Lindsay), William Nixon, Savanna Lumsden, Ryan Jones, Sean Manchester, and Erin Manchester. Last but certainly not least, he is survived by his sisters Sandra Kay Stansberry (Bernard) and Helen Ann Dettmer (Jack). Along with many nieces, nephews, and a small army of friends that he cherished deeply.
Friends and family will be received at the Scarpelli Funeral Home, P.A., 108 Virginia Avenue, Cumberland, on Monday, April 28, 2025 from 11am to 12:30pm. A memorial service will immediately follow at 12:30pm. Inurnment will be in MD State Veteran's Cemetery, Rocky Gap with military honors accorded by Ft. Cumberland Post 13 Honor Guard.
Friends are invited to a celebration of Don's life at the Oldtown Assembly of God Church. Please come ready to share stories and memories- after all, Don did enjoy a good party!