Harold Wayne Nix

In Memoriam: Harold Wayne Nix
Founding Member, Nix Patterson, LLP

Harold Wayne Nix, 87, of Daingerfield was born in Daingerfield to Guy and Grace Evelyn Nix on February 26, 1939. He passed away peacefully on Saturday evening, April 25, 2026 in Garland.

Harold was a titan of the Texas legal community and a lifelong champion of justice for the everyday person. He was born and raised in Northeast Texas, the son of Guy Boy Nix, from whom he learned dedication, integrity, and the conviction that a man’s word matters; and Evelyn Nix, whose heart of gold taught him to see the good in every person he met. Those lessons—together with a deep and steady faith in God—became the foundation of the man and the lawyer he would become. Long before he ever entered a courtroom, Harold attended Kilgore Junior College, often hitchhiking home along the roads of Northeast Texas, trusting that he would arrive where he needed to be. That same trust would guide every step of the rest of his life.

Harold earned his degree from Baylor Law School in 1965 and began his remarkable journey in 1966, hanging his shingle outside a humble two-room wooden building in his hometown of Daingerfield, Texas—with his devoted wife, Carol Ann, by his side. They fearlessly set out to make a difference in their hometown. The first paying client had no money but did have a few hogs; Harold cut a deal with the farmer for a hog as his fee. He then cut a deal with the local butcher to process and store the hog in return for Harold writing up a will for him. From that moment on, it was “off to the races.” From the very beginning, Harold operated by a simple but powerful creed: that anyone who came in needing help could talk with an attorney, at no charge. His entire career was rooted in the core belief that it was his “God-given duty to care for the weak, the poor, and the downtrodden.” That belief drove him every day; he instilled it in every member of our firm; and we will continue to carry it forward in the years to come.

The people of Morris County trusted Harold because he was one of them. He grew up in a housing project in the county, worked in the steel mill, and came back home to hang his shingle. Whether they needed a will, a divorce, a criminal lawyer, or help after an injury, they came to Harold—and he stood up for them. He built his reputation one client at a time, earning the trust and admiration of his community so deeply that locals were once quoted saying, “We trust Harold Wayne Nix more than any preacher man from around here.”

But Harold’s reach was never confined to Daingerfield alone. He was a lawyer for all of Northeast Texas—Jenkins, Lone Star, Hughes Springs, Naples, Omaha, and every town and country road in between. Every community, and every life he touched, mattered to him. Throughout his career, he quietly helped countless people in ways that were never seen and never publicized, believing that when God put him in a position to help someone, he was bound to step in and do it. Many lives are better today because of him, even if they never fully knew the role he played.
By 1985, Harold had amassed an impressive record of trial victories and substantial settlements. He had not lost a jury trial in over four years and had earned a reputation as one of the most respected and feared trial lawyers in the State of Texas. Nobody beat Harold in Morris County, Texas. Nobody.
Until he met Cary Patterson.

In May 1985, Harold and Cary met in trial. Harold’s client was a steelworker at the Lone Star Steel plant in Lone Star, Texas. Cary’s client was the International Shoe Company. Harold thought it was a “lay-down” case—a no- brainer—and he was sure to get another good jury verdict. A few days later, the Morris County jury came back with a unanimous verdict for Cary’s client.  Shortly after the verdict, Harold asked Cary to join him in Daingerfield and practice on the right side of the docket. Back then they called this “doing the Lord’s work.” Soon afterward, they joined forces. They remained partners for the next 41 years and built it into one of the premier trial firms in the country.

Beyond the courtroom, Harold’s life was anchored in faith and family. His marriage to Carol Ann was deep, steady, and rooted in a shared faith in God. She was his partner in life, in faith, and in building a family that the entire Nix family came to cherish, respect, and look up to. To his children and grandchildren—and to nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family alike—Harold was a steady and guiding presence, someone who set the tone, set the example, and showed what was possible through faith, discipline, and consistency. Harold also loved to run, and that was more than just something he did—it was part of who he was. You could often find him on the backwoods roads near County Line Cemetery, steady and focused, putting one foot in front of the other. In many ways, that is exactly how he lived his life.  But it all started in 1966 with Harold Nix. He will be forever remembered as a lawyer, a neighbor, a mentor, a husband, a father, a grandfather, and a man of the people.  He was creative. Fearless. And kind. He trusted God to lead him. He loved his wife and family with his whole heart. He set the pace so others could follow. He was among the very best ever to stand before a Texas jury. And we all stand on his shoulders.

“We believe that every person in this great republic is entitled to have access to a good
lawyer and a fair trial, no matter who they are and no matter whether or not they have
the ability to pay. And, we’ll fight like hell to help them get what they are owed and entitled to.”
— Harold W. Nix

A loving husband, father and grandfather, Mr. Nix was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Glenn Nix, Guy Marlin Nix, Danny Joe Nix and Gary Lynn Nix.

He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Carol Ann of Dallas formerly of Daingerfield; his daughter, Tracy Nix of Dallas; his son, Jason Nix and wife Caroline of Dallas; and three grandchildren, Hudson, Mary Katherine, and Luke all of Dallas — and who knew him by the name he gave himself with a smile, “Jefe.” He is also survived by his sister, Jeannie Pollan of Pittsburg as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at Noon on Saturday, May 9, 2026 in the auditorium of Daingerfield High School located at 200 Tiger Dr., Daingerfield, Texas 75638. Private family interment will take place in County Line Cemetery under the direction of Horn Family Funeral Home of Daingerfield. The family will receive friends during a reception at 2 PM, Saturday May 9, 2026 at the First Methodist Church MAC Building located at 306 Scurry St. Daingerfield, Texas 75638. Mr. Nix will lie in state from 2 to 7 PM Friday, May 8, 2026 in the Chapel of Horn Family Funeral Home of Daingerfield.

After his Alzheimer’s diagnosis, he moved to Grand Brook Memory Care Garland. The Nix family would like to thank the entire team for the loving care they provided. In particular, Janene Boughton and Tangi Norris, whom he loved dearly.  The family would also like to thank Anchor of Hope Hospice for the wonderful care they gave him in his final days; they are eternally grateful for all of those angels on Earth.  They would also like to thank Cary Patterson, Brad Beckworth, Steve Johnston, Kathleen Reichert and Jason Horn, the entire Horn family and funeral home staff for their loving concern and support to the family during this difficult time.