The Honorable Thomas Nelson Hix, Sr., 76, of Mill Spring, North Carolina, passed away unexpectedly, Friday morning, July 31, 2026, at his home overlooking the mountains.

Born in Prospect, Virginia, he was the son of the late Nelson Wilson Hix and Dolly Carson Hix. Judge Hix was a graduate of Fuquay Academy in Farmville, Virginia. He did his undergraduate at the University of Richmond and earned his doctorate from Sanford Law School in Birmingham, Alabama.

Judge Hix became the District Attorney for Western North Carolina and later served twelve years as a 29th District Court Judge in Western North Carolina. Judge Hix also served in private practice in Hendersonville, North Carolina. He finished his career as legal counsel for Polk County until 2010.

Judge Hix was an avid birdwatcher and animal lover.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Emma Garnett Satterfield.

Surviving is one son, Thomas Nelson Hix, Jr. (Constance) of Tryon, North Carolina; three daughters, Dollie-Brooke Reid (Michael) of Mill Spring, Emma-Catherine Ali (Oliver) of Boones Mill, Virginia and Charly-Blair Bradey (Jonathan) of Spindale, North Carolina; eleven grandchildren, Michaelbrooke Reid, Bo Reid, Gunner Reid, Riley-Blair Bradey, Wyatt Bradey, Lex Bradey, Lucy Ali, Maggie Ali, Aiden Hix, Lliam Hix and Jeremiah Hix.

A celebration of Judge Hix’s life will be held at 6:00 p.m., Saturday, August 8, 2026, at his home, 1511 Manus Chapel Road, Mill Spring, North Carolina with Reverend Michael Goforth officiating. Dinner will be served.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.

An online guest register is available at mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com

McFarland Funeral Chapel & Crematory

Tryon, North Carolina