Tributes to Tami Jo Nix

For The Madera Tribune

From left, Tami Jo Nix, Ellen Beach, Farin Martinez, Wendy Alexander and Tyler Takeda gather for lunch at Black Bear Diner in October 2016.

---

Careen Wong:

Tami Jo, how we miss you so! I will always remember Tami Jo for her extra fancy spooky and snoopy nails. I knew her when I worked at the Madera Tribune as a fresh college graduate and we definitely connected over all things spooky.

I will always remember, there was this one time, I told her I loved horror but haven’t really read any Stephen King’s books yet. Next thing I know, there’s Tami Jo with a box full of Stephen King’s books that she thrifted and gave me.

Sweetest person with the biggest heart. You will always live in our memories.

Ashley Lowe:

Some people come into your life and leave an impression so deep, you can still hear their laughter echo after they’ve gone. Tami Jo was one of those people — the kind who approached life with an untamed, fearless energy that pulled everyone in.

I first met her when I was a college intern at The Madera Tribune, where she had a way of making even the quietest newsroom moments unforgettable. Like the time I thought I smelled a gas leak. Without hesitation, she struck her lighter, shrugged, and declared, “Nope, not a gas leak.” I was certain she had just gambled our lives on a hunch. But that was her — bold, assured, and unconcerned. Later, she told me she knew it wasn’t a leak, but in that moment, I thought she was absolutely out of her mind.

And then there was our night of karaoke, my farewell when I left The Tribune. She belted out “Born to Be Wild,” because of course she did. That was her anthem. That was her life philosophy. She was wild, in the best possible way — unapologetically fun, endlessly kind, and completely irreplaceable.

Amanda Delgado:

Tami Jo was such a fun loving, sweet and caring woman. I was lucky enough to be introduced to by a friend, approximately 16 years ago. I was a Girl Scout Leader in Madera at the time. 

Tami Jo was sweet enough to give my Girl Scout Troop a tour of the Madera Tribune. She was such a positive role model for the girls. She shared so much information with them, and made them feel comfortable for them to ask questions. And she also made them feel important and that they could do anything they set their minds to do. Tami Jo shared the many different career goals that the girls could pursue, if they chose. I remember her always laughing and smiling. Tami Jo was always willing to help anyone out that needed help. 

Tami Jo will be greatly missed. She will continue to live on in all the people she came into contact with and shared her wisdom with. She helped shape many young minds into seeking higher education and setting career goals.