Julian J. Nexsen was born April 14, 1924, in Kingstree, SC, to parents William I. Nexsen and Barbara Jacobs Nexsen. He attended The Citadel for one year, after which he and the entire class entered military service for WWII. He later attended the University of South Carolina, where he received his Bachelor of Arts magna cum laude.
Julian was a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, where he served in France and Germany during WWII from 1942 until 1946. He earned the Combat Infantry Badge and two Bronze stars. Upon his return from active service in WWII, he joined the U.S. Army Reserves. His unit was called to active duty during the Korean Conflict, where he served as captain in the JAGC. After returning from service, he practiced his entire career with Cooper and Gary in Columbia, which after a number of name changes is now Nexsen Pruet.
He was a member of the Richland County Bar Association, SC Bar, SC Bar Foundation, American Bar Association and the Fourth Circuit Judicial Conference. He was admitted to practice in all SC courts, Federal District Court of SC, Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court.
He received the Compleat Lawyer Platinum Award from the USC School of Law and the SC Bar Foundation Durant Distinguished Public Service Award. In addition, he was listed in the Best Lawyers in America for trust and estate law.
He was a member of Eastminster Presbyterian Church in Columbia for 60 years, where he served as Deacon, Elder and Clerk of the Session. He was a member of numerous clubs, including the Columbia Kiwanis Club, Forest Lake Club and the Palmetto Club.
Julian J. Nexsen died on May 6, 2015. He is survived by his children, Ivey N. Bouknight (Dicky) and Julian J. Nexsen Jr. (Christy); grandchildren, Elizabeth B. Barber (Scott), Heyward H. Bouknight III (Whitney), Elizabeth K. Nexsen, Blair B. Brading (Brett), Julian Jacobs Nexsen III and Sarah I. Nexsen; and seven great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife, Mary Elizabeth “Betty” McIntosh Nexsen.