Freeman Coy Nixon

Freeman Coy Nixon was born on Aug. 15, 1944, in Bakersfield. He passed away at his home in Shafter on June 10, 2024, at the age of 79.

He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Terri; his daughters, Moni Case and Doris Martin; his grandchildren, Tessa Ogles, Isis Brownlow, Collin Page, Luke Martin and Stella Martin; his brothers, Ron Perkins, Don Perkins, Bennie Nixon and Buddy Hooper; and his stepmother, Mary Nixon.

He was preceded in death by his parents, F.C. and Jackie Nixon, and his daughter, Megan Page.

Graveside services will be held at the Shafter Cemetery on Thursday, June 27, at 10 a.m. A reception will follow at the Ford Theater in Shafter immediately following. Attendees are encouraged to drive their hot rod vehicles to both venues.

Freeman lived the majority of his life in Shafter. traveling seasonally as a child up and down the Central Valley with his family as they followed crops ready for harvesting.

Having been born during World War II, Freeman was nearly 2 years old when he met his father upon his return from France. His extended "dust bowl Okie" family was an integral part of his life. His Nanny's farm labor camp in Shafter was center stage for many of them, and Freeman recounted colorful stories from that time in his life.

Freeman became a big brother at the age of 10 and was the definition of unconditional love until his dying day. Their mother, having passed unexpectedly when Freeman was 22, placed him in a parental role, and he played an invaluable part in raising his brother Bennie.

Freeman loved cars and motorcycles and loved to go FAST during his teenage years. Freeman developed his work ethic while working summers as a teen in the potato fields and sheds. He could sack the spuds in the fields, but since he was not a big guy, in the sheds he was given the job of "Okie Sack Sew'r" as his good friend Gene Stark would say.

He graduated from Shafter High School in 1962. During the Vietnam war he joined the Army Reserves and served for six years.

He purchased a service station in Shafter in 1964 which he ran for 10 years. Upon leaving the service station business, he worked for the County of Kern Road Department for five years. He missed being a business owner, and he opened Freeman Jewelers in Shafter and ran it for 10 years. His next venture was as a truck driver in the oilfields working for Ted Cummings and Jack Hickman, then on to Kern Vacuum Service as a dispatcher, where he ended his work career.

He stopped working after surviving brain surgery, his love for cars having endured throughout his life. He painted cars, raced Jeeps, restored, bought and sold many hot rods, and loved to attend car shows. His "car buddies" were family to him.

Freeman earned the nickname "Cookieman" because of the delicious chocolate chip cookies prepared with his "secret recipe," and he would bake them by the hundreds to give away everywhere he went. He even used his cookies to convince the love of his life, Terri, to give him a chance.

She did, and Freeman again found himself in a parental role. He was a strong and loving father and grandfather.

In addition to cars and cookies, Freeman was known for his generosity. He was constantly thinking about what he could "give" to others.

He will be deeply missed.