December 1, 1942 – November 13, 2025
The oldest of 4, Frank John Nixon Jr. was born in Duluth on Dec. 1, 1942 to Frank Sr. & Marie French Nixon.
He grew up in the Woodland area, played hockey for Glen Avon, and attended Holy Rosary. Sadly, when Frank was only 11, his father died unexpectedly.
He enlisted in the Army at 17 & became a paratrooper in the 101st Airborne Division. While in Korea, he married his 1st wife, Yun Cha Lyi, they had a daughter, Lee Ann, & later a son, Frank III, when they lived in Msp. Frank earned a 2 year degree from the U of M for landscape architecture, and completed a 2 yr. course in cabinet making.
The couple separated in ‘73, & in ‘74 Frank returned to Duluth with his next partner, Jane Soukup. They rented & eventually bought a little house on 40 acres in rural Two Harbors.
He worked for the Forest Service, but his job driving a gravel truck in the Gunflint District was cut in ‘87, so he took a disability retirement at 44 & immediately bought a Harley.
Luckily, he survived his 2nd childhood & enjoyed riding with friends & often with the Thunderbirds MC before being diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2012.
He died on Nov. 13, 2025, after a short stay at Monarch Nursing Home in Two Harbors.
He was preceded in death by his parents & brother James.
He is survived by his partner & wife of over 51 years, Jane Soukup, 1st wife Yun Huffman, daughter Lee Ann Willhite, son Frank III (Rebecca), granddaughters; Kira, Annabelle Swanson (Alex), & Morgan; sisters Mary Schnell, Jane Mallack (John), & several nieces & nephews.
There will be a Celebration of Life for Frank Saturday, June 6, from 2-5 PM at the Two Harbors American Legion. All are welcome.
