Ezickiel Nash

Ezickiel “Zeke” Donald Nash lived his life vibrantly and vitally as a people person and a fighter for the good in everyone. He passed away peacefully in New Orleans, April 4, after a brief illness. He would’ve been 72, May 20. Zeke, the adored firstborn son, devoted husband, caring dad and doting grandpa, supportive brother and brother-in-law, “generous joyful” uncle and fabled cousin and friend, came by his no-nonsense common-sense nature honestly, growing up in the 1950s and ‘60s in Southwest Louisiana where folks tended to keep it real. He learned core values from his parents who taught him by example the meaning of hard work and giving back to others. As a youngster, Zeke served for years as an altar boy at his hometown Catholic church, Immaculate Heart of Mary in Lake Charles. With an early appreciation for earning his way, Zeke as a preteen worked as a paperboy for the Lake Charles American Press. His siblings remember him counting coins, going over the receipts entries in the ledger he used on his route. After graduating from Grambling State University and marrying his college sweetheart, Linda Gadson Nash, in 1971, he fittingly began a career in accounting, initially in southern Arkansas for Murphy Oil Company and ultimately in his treasured New Orleans for Ocean Drilling & Exploration Company (ODECO). He spent more than a decade of his profession working primarily in the oil and offshore drilling industry. After his retirement from ODECO, Zeke worked for Charles Webb & Associates as a tax accountant before starting his own tax service, Nash Accounting and Tax Service, cultivating loyal clients from around the city. Zeke was an advocate for building community roots, and he championed self-enterprise and service. When in summer 2005 the ravages of Hurricane Katrina dislocated the traditional New Orleans lifestyle that he and longtime neighbors in his subdivision had once bloomed in, Zeke knew it would only be a matter of time before the return and rebuilding. With heart and grit, he and the few families that moved back united to help other families in East New Orleans reconfigure the colorful routine and culture that uniquely is the city. During the 2006 start of the NOLA renaissance, the boldly worded yard signs: “I’m coming Home. I will rebuild. I am New Orleans.” were displayed on lawns throughout the city and East New Orleans, backing up Zeke’s profound passion and commitment. He later would say to anyone asking about the effort, it was “worth the sweat.” Post Katrina, during the retirement years, his life of community service grew even deeper with sharper focus on civic and church causes. He recaptured a childhood post as an altar server at the historic New Orleans East St. Paul the Apostle Church. At St. Paul the Apostle, he was actively involved in the Eucharist Minister to the Sick and Shut-in, served on the fundraising committee and was a member of Sacristan and the Knights of Peter Claver. He also was a volunteer with Notre Dame Hospice, where he would sit and visit with patients for socialization, prayer and provide communion. In 2009, Zeke was inducted into New Orleans’ Beau Brummell Club, Inc., where he served as the treasurer. He also was a member of the historical black fraternity Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. since being initiated through the Gamma Psi Chapter at Grambling State University in 1970. Given Zeke’s lighthearted and humble spirt, his penchant for telling family stories and his inimitable self-deprecating humor, he would enjoy having it written that perhaps one of his most esteemed and prided honor is that of Chief of Church Fish Fry Events. He would not brag about his natural talent for whipping up a dish from little or nothing and instead defer to his Mama who taught him all things culinary. His epic boyhood scrambled eggs and rice dish remains family lore. The family’s beloved Zeke is preceded in death by his parents, Gustavia Thomas Nash and Alce “L.C.” Henry Nash, his younger brother, Samuel Matthew Nash, nephew Marvin Abraham Nash, mother-in-law Carinelle Gadson, brother-in-laws Jan Gadson and Victor Gadson and sister-in-law Ruby Nash. Left to mourn his loss are his wife Linda of New Orleans; father-in-law Oscar C. Gadson, Jr. of Tuskegee, AL; son, Kelsey L. Nash (Nicole Holmes) of San Antonio, TX; daughter, Kelly Nash Forrest (Rodney) of San Antonio, TX; granddaughters Krystal Verline Holmes and Dominique Karinelle Nash of New Orleans; grandsons, Kelsey L. Nash, Jr. of Ann Arbor, MI and Jarrett K. Nash of Houston, TX. His six siblings, Abraham Nash (Marva) of Lake Charles; Jean Nash Johnson (Michael R.) of Dallas; Debra A. Nash of Lake Charles; Michael J. Nash of Lake Charles; Carl A. Nash of Irving, TX; and brother and godson John F. Nash of Lake Charles. Brothers- in-Law Robert Gadson (Dee) of Tucson, AZ and Ronald Gadson (Mary) of Miami, FL; godmother and maternal aunt, Victoria “Chippy” Roberts (Joseph) of Opelousas, LA and maternal aunt, Emily Lawrence of Los Angeles. And, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Special acknowledgment to Zeke’s first cousin-like-a-brother, Dr. Donald D. Nash, and the rest of the D.J. Nash Family. Zeke’s family has been heartened and comforted by the outpouring of love and support. The Nash-Gadson clan is grateful for the innumerable expressions of condolences and kindness. A memorial service will be held at a later date. For all who are inclined to pay it forward, donations may be made in Zeke’s honor to his precious church parish’s fundraising efforts for the development of a new community center. For more information, contact St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church

Ezickiel Nash

April 4, 2020