By Staff
John Romas Nicholson (Johnny), 69, of the Davie County Line Community of Statesville, died October 1, 2009, at the Gordon Hospice House in Statesville, after a period of declining health since a stroke in 2005 and a final illness lasting several months.
Born on March 12, 1940, in Iredell County, he was the son of the late Woodrow Wilson and Nina Cass Nicholson, the middle child of their seven children. An infant daughter also preceded him in death.
He attended Cool Spring High School where he played baseball. He served his country in the U.S. Army’s 2nd Division Artillery, including a tour of duty in Baumholder, Germany during the early Cold War period. He was the owner and operator of Quality Utility Buildings in Statesville since 1981 and prior to that had owned and operated a commercial fishing boat in Swan Quarter NC and Brunswick GA. He was once an avid golfer and sportsman, especially enjoying hunting and fishing. Johnny had a great appreciation of nature and had a special love of the ocean and boating since a child. He was well known for his ability to make friends wherever he went, his love of fun, his belief in the Democrat Party and his dedication to animals, including his most recent pet companion, a red-tick hound, Opie. Before his health began to decline, he looked forward to retirement at his second home in Hyde County.
On November 22, 1981, he was married Meredith Mooney Nicholson, who survives. In addition he is survived by a daughter, Robin N. Barfield of Anderson SC; and two sons, Kent W. Nicholson and wife Sherry and John R. Nicholson, II, all of Statesville; granddaughters Brantley G. Barfield of Columbia SC and Jessie C. Nicholson of Greensboro; grandson Jesse S. Riddle of Piney Flats TN; and his son-in-law, Dennis Barfield of Savannah GA.
Also surviving are his two brothers, Woodrow Aldean Nicholson and wife Louise, and Eddie D. Nicholson and wife Gayle; four sisters, Rose N. Stroud and husband Harvey, Sadie N. Daniels, Brenda N. Clanton and Debbie N. Richardson all of Statesville; an uncle, Russell (Doc) Cass and an aunt, Minnie Lou Dotson, both of Union Grove; mother-in-law, Evelyn Mooney of Fairfield; sisters-in-law, Lora Byrd of Fairfield and Holly Zuger of Gloucester VA; brother-in-law, Clark Mooney of Cramerton and a host of beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.
The family will receive friends Friday, October 2, from 6-8 p.m. at Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home in Statesville and Sunday, October 4, from 2-4 p.m. at Bryan Funeral Services in Swan Quarter. A private funeral service will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in memory of Johnny to the Gordon Hospice House, Hospice &Palliative Care of Iredell County, Inc., 2341 Simonton Road, Statesville NC 28625 or the local Salvation Army, Relay for Life, VFW or Animal Shelter of the donor’s choice.
Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home of Statesville and Bryan Funeral Services of Swan Quarter are serving the family of John R. Nicholson.
Paid Obituary