He lived a life marked by resilience, service, and extraordinary achievement.
A celebration of life will be 2:00 PM, Saturday, March 22, 2025, at First Presbyterian Church Rockwall with Rev. J.P. Marshall officiating. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Coker-Mathews Funeral Home.
Dr. Nicholson entered the world in 1930 during the Great Depression and overcame early hardships that forged his enduring perseverance. He began his life in rural North Louisiana, where he experienced poverty and illness. After his father left to seek work and never returned, his grandparents raised him while his mother worked tirelessly to create a better future. Her strength and determination shaped the path he followed.
James grew up in south Dallas and developed grit, street smarts, and a strong moral compass. Volunteer coaches at the Salvation Army's Compton Citadel gym mentored him, sparking his passion for basketball and boxing. With encouragement from his peers, he joined the Crozier Tech High School basketball team and earned a varsity letter on a squad that won two state championships. He proudly became the first member of his family to graduate from high school.
After working as a telephone lineman and fry cook, he enrolled at North Texas University. When the Korean War broke out, he chose to join the U.S. Marine Corps. As ''Nick the Barman,'' he carried the Browning Automatic Rifle through five major combat campaigns in North Korea. He earned the Silver Star for heroically rescuing a mortally wounded comrade under fire and received a Purple Heart for injuries sustained during the assault on "The Punchbowl." He formed deep bonds with his fellow Marines that lasted a lifetime.
After the war, Dr. Nicholson returned home with a renewed sense of purpose and pursued his calling in medicine. He graduated from Southwestern Medical School in Dallas and completed his training at Baylor Medical Center. For more than six decades, he practiced family medicine in Greenville, Texas, delivering over 2,000 babies, making countless house calls, and enriching the lives of generations of families.
Dr. Nicholson played a central role in shaping the Greenville community. He co-founded the hospital now known as Hunt County Regional, served as Chief of Staff, and actively served on the boards of several civic and educational organizations, including the Greenville YMCA, the local school board, and the founding board of Alliance Bank.
As a gifted storyteller and historian, he authored the acclaimed book George - 3 - 7th Marines, which won the Gold Medal for Best Military History Book in the United States in 2014.
Demonstrating his vitality and commitment to giving back, Dr. Nicholson celebrated his 90th birthday in true adventurous spirit by skydiving to raise awareness for his beloved charity, the Birds Eye View Project.
Above all, Dr. Nicholson cherished his family. He shared a lifelong love with his wife, Wanda, and took immense pride in raising their four daughters Judy, Liz, Jennifer, and Rebecca�"and doting on their ten grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Dr. Nicholson lived a remarkable life of perseverance, honor, and compassion. He never forgot his roots and continued to serve others in battle, his medical practice, and his community. He lived a life full of meaning and ''wins'' and left the world better than he found it.
His family, friends, and the many lives he touched will deeply miss him and forever remember his legacy.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to the Birds Eye View Project, 1314 W. McDermott, Suite 106-820, Allen, TX 75013. www.birdseyeviewproject.org
Condolences(20)
Thomas Stuth
Lewisville, TX Wednesday, March 26, 2025 I Just now heard this news. So very sad. My sincerest condolences to the entire family for your loss. I have many memories of Doc Nic. We hunted a lot for dove when I was a kid. He was an awesome wing shooter. Great memories. RIP sir.MOLLY WOOTEN FERRARO
GREENVILLE, TX Monday, March 24, 2025 it was an Honor to have Dr Nicholson as my doctor from my age of 2 (making a house call) to his retirements. He delivered my first son and cared for my mother and my siblings for many years. He kept up with me on Facebook and always called me Twin. I think he would from time to time get Polly and I mixed up. I will miss him and prayers to his beautiful family.Joyce Thomas
Ft Worth Tx, TX Monday, March 24, 2025 My condolences to the Nicholson family, Dr Nicholson was a kind doctor, he delivered my first child in the 60’s, very professional and caring . I recently purchased his book and enjoyed it very much … movie worthy !🙏
Durrell Smith
DALLAS, TX Sunday, March 23, 2025 To Rebecca and the beautiful Nicholson family,Our heart goes out to you Rebecca for the loss of your legendary father; make no doubt about it, he was a legend. What a wondeful dad, soldier, physician, husband, and friend he was! I know how much he meant to you, family, and Greenville as everyone knows his long biography. He was such a leader on several fronts. The Smith family will keep you and family in our thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Durrell Smith
Jack Powers
Heath, TX Saturday, March 22, 2025 Dr.Nicholson was my doctor from the time my family moved to Greenville in 1968. He also was my Mom and Dad’’s physician. We all admired him, he was truly a special man! My deepest condolences to his loving wife Wanda, Judy and the entire family.Betty Stigger-Brown
Greenville, TX Saturday, March 22, 2025 My family was honored to called Dr. Nicholson our doctor & friend. He was my husband’s doctor when we got married. He delivered our Son, Dessie Jr. in March of 1981. One Sunday morning he & his wife came to our church to hear Dessie Sr. preach. He and Ms Wanda attended Dessie Jr. wedding shower & stayed in contact with Dessie Jr. after the birth of his daughter Bliss. He sent me a copy of his 2nd book for Christmas. The last time we received an email from him was November 2024. Dr. Nicholson was truly a Servant of God & a friend to mankind.Respectfully
Betty & Dessie Brown, Jr.
Pam Robertson
Greenville, TX Friday, March 21, 2025 I was a patient of Dr Nicholson’s from the time I was five years ago until he retired. He delivered my daughter and was her doctor for many many years. I also worked with him for years at the clinic where he and I loved a good Pizza Spa hamburger a d jalapeño pizza on many occasions. He always had the best stories! I’ll miss him and will be praying for Wanda and his girls.Steven Bell
Lone Oak, TX Friday, March 21, 2025 Doc took great care of me . Loved that man.. If he told you something it was fact.. Dont make Doctors like him anymore. Thank You and Rest inPeace Doc.Carey Bowman
AUSTIN, TX Friday, March 21, 2025 As a kid, I remember Dr. Jim was one of the few adults that I never felt talked down to me.He made me feel that I had worth and I always appreciated him for that.
I’d been meaning to call him for months and now I’ve missed my chance.
I grew up a close friend of the Nicholson family and loved them all. This is a hard one to take.
My sympathies to Wanda, Judy, Jennifer, Rebecca, and most of all Liz. God speed old friend! See you on the other side.
Rockwall Marines
Rockwall, TX Friday, March 21, 2025 To one helluva Marine. Nick the BAR Man larger than life, taught all of us how to live. What a legacy of honor he leaves. Would that we all could claim to live such a life. Doc Nicholson did. Until we join you on the streets of heaven Doc, Semper Fidelis Marine!From the Marines of the James W Randolph Det. Marine Corps League and the Marines and veterans of the Longhorn Bodfish Det.
Todd Wallace
West Tawakoni, TX Friday, March 21, 2025 Dr. Nicholson delivered my sister and was our family doctor for over 30 years. In many ways he helped raise me. He saw me through many hardships such as when my mother passed away. He was a trusted physician, but even more I considered him a mentor and a friend. He was truly a great man!Thank you for everything sir.
Billy & Vickie (Burley) Huey
Greenville, TX Friday, March 21, 2025 We were blessed to have Dr. Nicholson as our doctor for many years. He was a great doctor, as well as a wonderful person. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and pray for God to give you comfort.Billy & Vickie (Burley) Huey
Greenville, TX Friday, March 21, 2025 We were blessed to have Dr. Nicholson as our doctor for many years. He was a great doctor, as well as a wonderful person. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and pray for God to give you comfort.Bennie Williams
Idabel, OK Thursday, March 20, 2025 James Nicholson was my doctor from the time I was born until I moved away 32 years later. He helped me through lots of illnesses and a couple of broken bones. He was always my favorite doctor and one heck of a nice guy. My condolences to all of his family, coworkers and friends. Rest in peace Dr. Nickelson.Tony Kirk
Hot Springs Village, AR Thursday, March 20, 2025 I was reminded throughout my childhood whenever I went to see Dr. Nicholson that I was one of his first patients. I will turn 65 this spring. Ironically he took care of my 85 year old father until his death back in 2017. He meant a lot to my family.I
Steve Knox
Greenville, TX Thursday, March 20, 2025 There will never be a finer Doctor or man than Dr. Nicholson. He definitely inspired me in my youth and even though I did not become a Doctor, I became one heck of a USN Hospital Corpsman. RIP Dr. Nick.Glen Landrum
Farmersville, TX Thursday, March 20, 2025 RIP DR Nicholson. You were one of the finest doctors & person this world was privileged to have on it.💔Bart Meador
Greenville, TX Thursday, March 20, 2025 I am so sorry to hear about his passing. He was truly a great man and great Dr. When my first wife and I couldn't conceive, he contacted her about us adopting and he helped us thru the entire process. He was always there for us, no matter what. There won't ever be another Dr. Nich for sure.Shana Lee
Greenville, TX Thursday, March 20, 2025 My thoughts and prayers are with the family of such a wonderful and interesting man. I loved working for him at PCA.Praying for peace and comfort.
Shana
Raymond & Sherry Turner
Greenville, TX Thursday, March 20, 2025 Our love to Wanda and family. A great doctor and dear friend to the Turner family. He will be so missed! Always enjoyed his phone calls, his care as he allowed our grandson to shadow him before he retired, the joy it’s been to have his books in my Nanny’s Porch booth! What an amazing man! 👨