LTC Gareth J. Nicholson (Gary or Nick) passed away November 15, 2018 in Cary, NC at the age of 73. He was born in Port Huron, Michigan on May 18, 1945 to the late Thurman Clark Nicholson and Cecile Nicholson. Nick graduated from Port Huron High School in 1963 and enlisted into the U.S. Army for 3 yrs. After his enlistment he attended St. Clair County community College and went on to finish his degree at Western Michigan University. After teaching Junior High School for a semester he realized how much he missed the camaraderie of the military and re-enlisted into the U.S. Army. He attended O.C.S. and became an officer in the Military Police Corp. He received his Masters Degree from Appalachian State University, graduated from the FBI National Academy and was a Master Parachutists. Nick retired in 1993 after 26 yrs. of service to his country. On April 1st, 2004 he was inducted into the O.C.S. Infantry Hall of Fame.
Upon retiring from the military he worked for Pantex, the nuclear weapons assembly and disassembly facility in Amarillo, TX. Later moved to North Carolina to be near his children and grandchildren.
The greatest honor Nick passed down to his children and grandchildren is to love and honor our great country. He was strong in his faith, he loved the military, his family, his many friends and his pets.
He is survived by his wife of 53 yrs. Margaret of Cary, NC; daughter, Laura (Shane Leatherwood) of Apex, NC; son, Todd of Seven Lakes, NC; grandsons, Connor and Wyatt; granddaughters, Riley and Allison; sister, Janet (Tom) Hicks of Evart, MI; brothers, David (Connie) Nicholson of Port Huron, MI; Charles (Sally) Nicholson of Parchment, MI; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
A memorial service will be held at 10:00am Saturday, Dec. 8, at Hope Community Church, Raleigh, NC. A celebration of life service will also be held in Port Huron, MI for our many family and friends there. Nicks final resting place will be Arlington National Cemetery. Dates still to be determined.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Nick’s memory may be made to Veterans groups or cancer research organizations.
