He joined the US Air Force and after a few years was sent to Bentwaters AFB near Ipswich, England; it was there where he met Carol Leaver in a coffee bar. The two dated for several years before David returned to Alabama, but he couldn’t forget her and Carol followed a few months later.
David and Carol were married in 1963 with Susan arriving in 1964 and Paul following in 1965. Assignments in North Carolina, Germany, Texas and Michigan followed, and in 1976 he was assigned to McConnell AFB in Wichita.
There wasn’t much David couldn’t do, but he particularly enjoyed working with engines. He was also a lifelong photographer and had a professional studio while stationed in North Carolina. Family life was well documented, along with the places he was stationed, such as Tripoli, Turkey and Thailand.
After 20 years in the Air Force, David retired and worked at Cessna briefly before starting his career with Boeing in the military R&D department. He took an early retirement from Boeing but continued to tinker in his shop for the rest of his life.
Once Carol retired, the couple moved to Wedowee, Alabama, where they enjoyed their time; but after eight years, Carol missed the family and they moved back to Kansas, near Bentley. It was here that David started writing his first novel while teaching writing classes at the Bentley senior center. He ended up writing three books which remain unpublished.
In 2019, they moved to Reflection Ridge Retirement Community where David passed away on April 8, 2023 with Carol beside him; they were just six months short of their 60th wedding anniversary.
David was preceded in death by his parents, Edward & Violet Nicholson and sister, Sharon Haney. He is survived by his wife, Carol Leaver Nicholson, brother Robert Nicholson, and sister Ann Davis; children Susan (James) and Paul (Angie); grandchildren Brooke (Cale), Rebekah (Judah), Faith and Laurel; and great-grandchildren Charlotte, Cameron, Adelaide, Everleigh and Eloise.
There will be a memorial service on April 15th, 2023, at 2:00 pm in the Theater of the Reflection Ridge Retirement Community at 2300 N. Tyler in Wichita, Kansas. Memorial donations can be made in Nick’s honor to St. Judes Children’s Hospital or the Sedgwick Meeting House coffee shop.
