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Today
we give thanks for the life of Sam Nixon, the special shape God gave
to him, and thanks for the privilege of being shaped by Sam’s
unique flavor -- a special blend of personal achievement, ready
assistance, hard work, determined devotion, and an inimitable sense
of humor that did, at times, lend itself to a ritual of repeated
jokes and pithy sayings like: “prior preparation prevents poor
performance,” or “plan your work and then work your plan.”
We
give thanks for the special flavor of life which Sam brought to us;
for the strength with which he crafted his life whether it be in his
home or in his church; whether it be practicing medicine in rural
settings or with the best of technology; whether it be with
life-long friends or new acquaintances.
We
give thanks for Sam’s special blend of personality; his
rooted-ness for life and family established in his childhood; the
joy Sam found in discovery and then his abundant willingness to
share his informed perceptions, even with preachers, his willingness
to persevere; his strength in time of trouble or emergency; and we
give thanks to God for Sam’s lasting fidelity and faithful service
as a husband, father, family member, physician and friend.
We
also give thanks for Sam’s willingness to help, for his pleasure
in seeing work accomplished, for the variety of means through which
Sam shared himself with his world, especially his practice of
medicine, from the MASH units of Korea to the rural family practice
(before that became a recognized specialization) to his favorite
medical soapbox against sexually transmitted diseases; for his work
to make polio vaccines readily available to the public, moving the
location from the doctor’s clinic to the public library as well as
other notable contributions to public health and the common good;
and for the priceless memories of countless persons, whose lives
were assisted by Sam’s medical arts and applied learning.
How
we love to recount Sam stories, like the night he was called to
deliver a baby at a rural home far from the beaten path. The
situation was serious and Sam informed the husband that he could not
save both baby and mother. Hearing the click of a cocked revolver,
he heard the words, “You better.”
Or
the time he first met one of his future sons-in-law and Sam grabbed
his latest project — a promotional, educational video to prevent
sexual diseases titled, “VD Blues.” Wishing to share his
project, Sam may not have realized the impression it might make.
Or
the countless commodities accumulated when money was scarce and he
would be paid in kind, chickens, watermelons, whatever, just one
surprise after another.
Or
his pleasure when referring to his wedding anniversary of June 22nd
and noting Alice’s birthday of June 24th, exhaling a
deep-drawn sigh, saying, “Yes, we got married just in time,” and
waiting for Elizabeth to hastily add, “three years later.”
Sam
was a member of the fightin’ Texas Aggie Class of 1947, although
he graduated early in 1946, going on to Medical School at the
University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. His pride and
appreciation for his two schools is reflected by his lasting loyalty
and his legacy of scholarships and support. No surprise to anyone
who knew him, Sam was most proud to be an Aggie, but he never wore
that distinction in such a way that I ever regretted he was. This
afternoon, we give thanks for Sam’s spirit which today mounts on
the wings of his Creator, like an eagle, lifting Sam from this place
in which homes are made with hands; to that beautiful city which no
ear has heard and no eye has seen.
We
give thanks for God’s sustaining grace that strengthened Sam
throughout his life, which he found in his relationships with family
and friends, especially we give thanks for the sacred journey of
Covenant Love Sam shared with Elizabeth through 53 years of
marriage. Sam never expected anything but the best from and for his
daughters, and was most willing to express, through whatever means
necessary, his high expectations. Yet no one could ever doubt the
adoration he held for each of his “five” girls and for his
nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews and so forth; always
willing to find the time and be present for special events and
family gatherings, and never missing his commitment to “one meal a
day together,” especially Sunday dinner, reciting the simple, but
theologically sound blessing, “God is great; God is good” — an
affirmation that expressed Sam’s deep conviction in a good, great
God.
As
we bid farewell to Sam’s earthly tent, we celebrate his eternal
friendship with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, with whom Sam is
even now clothed in glory, a friendship which he learned in his
childhood and practiced “methodically” every Sunday, teaching
Sunday School and worshipping with God’s family, no matter what
medical emergency he might have tended through the night before.
Today
we bid farewell to Sam’s earthly tent; but his soul we commend to
God. Today, we see dimly, but today Sam sees “face to face.” As
we bury his body we transfer his Church Membership from the Church
Militant to the Church Triumphant. A membership which was conceived
in Creation, purchased on Calvary, initiated at Sam’s Baptism, and
confirmed through Sam’s personal profession of faith.
Today
we transfer Sam’s Church membership from the First United
Methodist Church of Nixon — a membership Sam last transferred back
to Nixon after 35 years in Floresville and Houston. Today we
transfer that membership one last time, to the Church Triumphant in
arms of our Lord and of his Christ.
We
come together in grief, acknowledging our human loss. May God grant
us grace, that in pain we may find comfort, in sorrow hope, in death
resurrection.
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