Dorothy Ruth Nixon

Dorothy Ruth Nixon passed away on March 10, 2026, at Legacy Village of Stillwater at the age of 93, surrounded by her loving family. Born in Stillwater on March 28, 1932, she was the daughter of Carol and Merle (Humphrey) Rickstrew.

A lifelong resident of Stillwater, Dorothy graduated from Stillwater High School in 1950. She attended Oklahoma State University for two years and later took a computer class at Meridian Technology. In 1951 she began a remarkable 55-year career at OSU in the Journalism and Broadcasting Department, starting in the era of manual typewriters. While working at the university she met her husband, Elton Nixon, who was employed with the OSU Police Department. They married in Stillwater on October 15, 1966, and shared 27 years together until his passing in 1994. They had one son, Christopher, born in 1971.

Dorothy was an active member of Stillwater First United Methodist Church, the Stillwater Christian Women’s Club, and the Stillwater Women’s Club, where she particularly enjoyed helping with the Parade of Homes fundraiser that supported local charities. She took great pleasure in feeding birds and squirrels, was an avid bowler in her younger years, sewed her own clothes, and loved cooking for family and friends. After retiring from OSU, she cherished time spent with friends and cousins on group meals and travels, creating lasting memories. Above all, she delighted in time with her son Chris and his wife Stacey, and her grandchildren Shayden and Kinley.

Those who knew Dorothy remember her grace and her wry sense of humor that could lighten even the most difficult moments. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Bill Rickstrew, sister Peggy Jo Rickstrew, and husband Elton Nixon. She is survived by her son Christopher Nixon and wife Stacey of Stillwater, grandchildren Shayden Nixon and Kinley Nixon of Stillwater, and numerous cousins.