Dale Irvin Nicholson

Dale Irvin Nicholson, born July 18, 1943, in Miami, FL passed away peacefully at NEGA Medical Center in Braselton, Georgia on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. He was preceded in death by his parents Wilford Miller Nicholson (2000) and Doris Mae Nicholson (2009), both longtime residents of Fort Lauderdale. He is survived by his loving wife, Joy Maszor-Nicholson; daughter, Julie Anne Nicholson (Brittany) : sons, Scott Alan Nicholson (Aspen), and Mark Darrell Heath; and 2 grandchildren, Maddox, and Cassidy Rose Nicholson.

Dale began his childhood journey in 1948 while attending kindergarten in Coral Gables, FL. The following year his parents moved to Ft. Lauderdale, and he began first grade at Southside Elementary School and graduated from Ft. Lauderdale High School, Class of 1961 where he was a member of the Flying L’s Marching Band. He had numerous lifetime friends that he cherished from his early childhood and school days and spearheaded several of his class reunions. Throughout Dale’s life he had an unbendable determination to keep in touch with his friends and classmates until the end. “Old friends are the best friends” was his moto.

Following high school, he attended Broward Jr. College at the old Naval Air Station while playing 2 seasons of semi-pro football with the Ft. Lauderdale Tigers. Dale’s journey next took him to Parris Island, SC for basic training with the U. S. Marine Corps where he honorably served his country for 4 years of active duty that included a combat tour in South Vietnam where he was awarded the Purple Heart Medal for wounds received on 9/24/1966. He was also awarded the Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, 2 Presidential Unit Citations and other unit decorations.

Upon his return home he was driven by a powerful desire of volunteerism, joining the VFW #1966, American Legion #36, DAV #40, Marine Corps League, Ft. Lauderdale Jaycees to name a few, where during the late 1960’s & 1970’s he served in officer positions actively supporting their endeavors, including serving as co-chairman for the design, fund-raising, and dedication of the Korean-Vietnam Memorial at Holiday Park. His diligence led to selection as Chairman of the Broward County Veterans Council.

Dale became active in every aspect of his community, serving at various times on both the Ft. Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce – Education and Membership Task Forces, and Hollywood C of C – Chairman, Membership Task Force; Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) – Advisor, the Florida Chamber of Commerce’s STAR Student Award selection committee, Florida Jaycees – State Director, Americanism, Red Cross Disaster Shelter Chairman, United Way – Small Business Leadership Team, and Republican Executive Committee. His personal favorite was serving 3 years as Junior Achievement Advisor where he passionately departed his business knowledge and core values to high school students that were challenged with establishing a start-up business that would select, manufacture, and sell its products. Under his leadership in 1977-78 he energized, inspired, and directed these students in a successful venture, culminating in their recognition as the number one revenue producing JA Company in the State of Florida.

Dale’s principled leadership, powerful desire to always do more, enthusiasm, and dedicated volunteerism were recognized when selected for the Outstanding American Award of Ft. Lauderdale in 1969 and 1974; Ft. Lauderdale’s Five Outstanding Young Men Award – 1973; Ft. Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce – Centurion Award – 1973 & ‘74, Outstanding Young Men of America Award – 1975; and featured in the Fort Lauderdale News “Doers Profile” section in 1978.

In 1967 he began a distinguished 31-year career with Southern Bell Telephone Company (SBT), beginning as an installer-repair technician in Opa Locka, transferring into business sales and rising quickly into sales management in 1972. He was transferred to SBT headquarters in Atlanta, GA in 1978, then reassigned to AT&T in 1983, and finally promoted to Washington, DC as Director – Market Sensing & Planning for AT&T – Government Markets. During his career, he graduated magna cum laude from Nova Southeastern University with a BS – Business Administration degree, an MS – Human Resource Management degree, and in 1996 a Mini MBA – Management degree from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. He was recognized in 1985 as a top one-percent performer of AT&T and appointed to the prestigious Leaders Council and Leaders Board and recognized in the Who’s Who in Sales & Marketing – 1988-89.

During the 1990’s he was recognized with awards from Governor David Walters, State of Oklahoma, Governor Ann Richards, State of Texas, Governor Jim Guy Tucker, State of Arkansas, a Commendation Letter from Governor John Engler, State of Michigan and a Letter of Appreciation from the General Council, Ho–Chunk Nation of Wisconsin. Dale was a corporate member of the National Governor’s Assn. and was appointed by Governor Terry Branstad, State of Iowa to the Information Management Task Force and Governor Mike Leavitt, State of Utah to the Telemedicine Planning Committee. He also served on countless other state and local government associations that focused on information management solutions and policy making before his retirement in 1998.

Shortly after his arrival in Atlanta, GA, Dale followed his son Mark into the youth football program at Murphey Candler Park in Chamblee/Dunwoody, gravitating from a sideline observer to a head coach and multi-year terms as president and athletic director, 1982 to 1992. Here again he instilled lifelong values through competitive athletics, hard work, commitment, teamwork, character development, and excellence in education. Under his leadership the Atlanta Colt Youth Assn. won four Pop Warner National Championships and had numerous academically accomplished student-athletes selected as Pop Warner Academic All Americans. His extraordinary accomplishments earned him the State of Georgia Governor’s Medal for “Meritorious contribution to the interest of the State of Georgia and its citizens”.

Dale retired from AT&T at age 55 and launched The D. I. Nicholson Group, Inc., a business consulting firm specializing in organizational development and sales channel effectiveness. He was recognized by the National Register Who’s Who - Executives and Professionals – 2005-2006 and Marquis Who’s Who in America – 2024 with their Lifetime Achievement Award. After his retirement he and wife Joy became “Cruise Junkies”, taking to the seas and chasing the dream.

Notwithstanding all of Dale’s exceptional accomplishments is his love for family. He tried to give to his children what he never had in his youth, a participatory father. His devotion, love, profound honor, discipline and pride, straightforwardness, and “live to commitment” quality of character set standards that they could emulate and live by.

Graveside services will commence on Saturday, June 7, 20225 at 1:00 at Lauderdale Memorial Park, 2001 SW 4th Ave, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

It can be a great comfort to a grieving person or family to hear that others thought highly of their loved one, too. If you knew and admired Dale be, sure to let the family know by writing a few words in the "Memory" section of his obituary on the Kraeer - Fairchild Funeral Home website. www.KraeerFairchild.com.