Visitation for Lee “The Rose Man” Nixon, killed early Monday morning by gunfire, is from 4 p.m.-7 p.m. Friday at Layne Renaissance Chapel, 73 West Florissant Avenue.

Funeral services are at 9 a.m. Saturday at Friendly Temple Baptist Church, 5544 Dr. Martin Luther King Drive.
These arrangements are different from the unofficial arrangements widely publicized Wednesday morning.

Nixon, 64, was a beloved fixture on St. Louis nightlife scene, selling roses and teddy bears in various lounges, bars, and nightclubs for over 30 years.

While working at the Soft Touch Lounge early Monday, he and another man were shot when ejected lounge patrons returned and drove by, firing into the building. Nixon died later that morning. Illinois State Police and Washington Park Police are investigating.

The Loft, 3112 Olive, is presenting a tribute to Nixon beginning at 8 p.m. Sunday. All admission collected at the door will be donated to Nixon’s family.

“It’s now our turn to pay for all he has done for us and our community for the past 30 years,” says the Loft’s Drexel Smith. “I have witnessed the Rose Man walking into our clubs and turning sad faces into smiling faces and arguments into discussions, without sticking around to get paid for his product.”

Since news broke of Nixon’s senseless death, memories from those who knew him from around the city to around the country have poured in continuously to the Blender blog.