Tom Riston Nicholls, Jr.

Tom Riston Nicholls, Jr. of Glen Allen, Virginia, left this earthly realm while at home surrounded by his family. The only son of Dr. Tom R. Nicholls, Sr. and Eily Lawson Nicholls, he is survived by his loving wife, Josie, his daughters Erin Powell (Blake), Bonnie Middleton (Charlie), and Sarah Nicholls, step-daughter Emily Eaton, granddaughters Heather Fuller (Jake) and Riston Powell, and several cousins.

Tom attended Fork Union Military Academy from middle school through high school and was part of both the Swim Team and the Retan Rifles, an elite honor drill team. Following graduation, he enlisted in the Air Force during the Vietnam Conflict and was chosen for training in Information Technology which led to careers in both banking and in working with DIT for the Commonwealth of Virginia. He retired in 2008.

A year before he met his wife Josie, Tom entered sobriety and was blessed to spend the next 42 years helping others in recovery. It became his overwhelming mission and his purpose in life. Tom had many sponsees and many, many sober friends. He led meetings and was often asked to be the speaker at meetings in the Richmond area. One of his favorite sobriety excursions was to travel to Ocracoke Island, North Carolina to attend the AA Jamboree and he often rented a house and invited newcomers to come along. Tom was so grateful to have been able to attend the 50th Jamboree this past November despite his decline in health.

Tom loved sharing his interests and hobbies with his family and friends, especially his love of the water and he enjoyed boating, fishing, surfing, and other water sports. The family took many beach trips together to Nags Head and Emerald Isle, North Carolina. A trip to Pine Knoll Shores this past October with his wife, Josie, was especially memorable.

Handyman Tom was skilled in woodworking and built several kinds of furniture at the request of his wife and daughters. He loved working outside chopping and splitting wood and blowing leaves. Repairing broken items and crafting new ones was his specialty. He graciously hand made bracelets for his wife which could fit her tiny wrists. His children learned so many useful skills from their Dad like how to change a tire, how to manage their money and how to work hard and be self sufficient. They were happy living in the house that Tom built in their wooded heaven.

For the last 35 years, Tom has served as a contributing member of Kenwood United Methodist Church in Ashland, Virginia. He was always happy to help with the Brunswick stew fundraisers, yard sales, and church work days, and he served on the Board of Trustees. When one of the ministers was allergic to the Easter Lilies, Tom built a large cross for the lilies to be displayed away from the pulpit. When the church’s outdoor Easter cross was deteriorating, Tom built a new one from some of the church’s 100-year-old beams that had been removed due to termite damage. To quote Tom’s friends, “he was a really good guy.”

A Memorial Service for Tom will be held at Woody Funeral Home - Parham Chapel at 1771 North Parham Road, Richmond, VA 23229 on March 29, 2025. Visitation will begin at 11:00 am with the Service to follow at 12 noon. A private burial will occur at a later time.

The family requests no flowers, but would welcome donations to the Richmond Intergroup, 5310 Markel Road, Suite 108, Richmond VA 23230 (AA members only) or to Kenwood United Methodist Church, 11208 Elmont Road, Ashland, VA 23005.