James Sidney Nicholson

The oldest of five children, he grew up a child of the "Great Depression", hunting and fishing to help feed the family. His love of the outdoors persisted to his last deer hunt at age 90.

He left high school before graduation to join the United States Marine Corps. He was a member of the 5th division and his battalion was instrumental in capturing Mt. Suribachi at the Battle of Iwo Jima. He was among the first troops to occupy Japan after the war ended. He later served during the Korean War.

His career with the Southern Pacific Railroad for over 30 years ended with him as Assistant General Manager of the Houston division.

He is survived by his sister, Ann Mayeux of Houston; brother, Morris of Humble, Texas; two children, Patricia Bailey, Ed.D of Rogers, Arkansas and James S. Nicholson Jr., DDS of Muskogee, Oklahoma; three grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Services for Mr. Nicholson will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, January 16, 2017 in the Gipson Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow in the Garden of Memories Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon at Gipson Funeral Home.

Condolences may be offered at www.gipsonfuneralhome.com

Services have been placed in the trust of Gipson Funeral Home.