Thomas W. Nicholson, M.D.

Published 1:47 pm Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Thomas W. Nicholson, M.D.

Nov. 9, 1943 – March 22, 2014

The family of Dr. Nicholson announces his death on March 22, 2014.

“To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heaven. A time to be

born and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to harvest. A time to kill, and a time to heal; a

time to break down and a time to build up. A time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn

and a time to dance.”

Dr. Nicholson was born in Washington on Nov. 9, 1943. The son of

John L. Nicholson Jr. and Katherine H. Nicholson, he is survived by his wife, Sue Marshall

Nicholson, as well as his three sons: Westray Nicholson of Greenville, Marshall Nicholson and wife Meredith Nicholson of Dunwoody, Ga., and John Nicholson and wife Emily Nicholson of Chapel Hill. He was also gifted with seven grandsons: Brodie, Ben, Sam, Harry, Cole, Warren, and Henry, whom he hopes will remember him fondly.

He is also survived by his twin brother Samuel Timothy Nicholson and wife Helen Nicholson of

Rocky Mount, as well as his sister Katherine Nicholson Mitchell and husband

Sandy Mitchell of Washington. His brother John Lawrence Nicholson III, of

Rocky Mount, is predeceased.

Dr. Nicholson was a graduate of Rocky Mount High School and a scholarship recipient at the

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In his undergraduate years, he worked at the

Carolina Inn to supplement his income. He was most gratefully accepted into the University of

North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s School of Medicine and graduated with an M.D. degree in 1970,

where he also served as vice-president of his class. His education was continued at the University

of Oklahoma, where he completed an internship and residency in internal medicine, followed by

a fellowship in cardiology. While at the University of Oklahoma, he was selected as chief

resident. Dr. Nicholson was a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy and head of Internal

Medicine at the Port Hueneme Naval Hospital in California. In 1976, he returned home to

Washington to join Pamlico Internal Medicine, where he practiced medicine for 34 years.

Dr. Nicholson was devoted to his patients and colleagues, and as time went on, he regarded them

all as friends and family.

From whom much is given, much is expected

Dr. Nicholson always felt it was imperative to give back to medicine as it had so

graciously given to him, and was involved in many educational and professional organizations.

He served as chief of staff at Beaufort County Hospital and was chairman of the pharmacy and

therapeutics committee for many years. He was a lifetime member of the North Carolina

Medical Society as well as president of both the Pamlico Albemarle Medical Society and the

Seaboard Medical Society. In addition, Dr. Nicholson served as medical director of Britthaven

Services in Washington for many years.

“I’m a Tar Heel born

I’m a Tar Heel bred

And when I die

I’m a Tar Heel dead.”

The family will receive friends from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 25, 2014, at Paul

Funeral Home & Crematory, 900 John Small Avenue, Washington (252-946-4144).

A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 26, 2014, at St. Peter’s Episcopal

Church on 101 N. Bonner St, Washington (252-946-8151), officiated by The Reverend Kevin Johnson. Reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Beaufort County Community College

Foundation, 5337 U.S. Highway 264 East, Washington, NC 27889 (252-940-6326), Beaufort County Arts Council, P.O. Box 634, Washington NC 27889 (252-946-2504) or St. Thomas Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 257 Bath NC 27808 (252-923-9141).