James Dean Nicholson
James Dean Nicholson
James Dean Nicholson
August 20, 1941 – July 11, 2023
Oskaloosa, Iowa | Age 81
Served With Honor ~ United States Military Veteran
James Dean Nicholson, 81, of Oskaloosa, died Tuesday, July 11, 2023, at the MHP Hospice Serenity House in Oskaloosa. He was born August 20, 1941, in Knoxville, Iowa, the son of Norman Harold and Ida Louise Allen Nicholson.
Jim graduated from Knoxville High School with the class of 1960, and following high school he attended college for a year.
After deciding a year of college was enough, Jim enlisted in the United States Air Force. He served in the Air Force for four years and was honorably discharged on December 6, 1966.
On January 4th, 1964, Jim was united in marriage to Judy Surfus in Knoxville, Iowa.
Following discharge from the service he joined the United States Army Corps of Engineers, where he worked on the traveling maintenance crews up and down the Mississippi River. Then in 1972, he transferred to work on the Red Rock Dam. He went to Lake Powell, Utah in 1985, and worked for National Parks until retiring in 1994. Jim moved to Oskaloosa and during retirement he worked at Cunningham and Clow.
From 2002 to 2016, James spent his summers at Booi’s fly-in fishing lodge in Ontario, Canada with his special friends, Jim and Tracey Booi and their kids. He touched the lives of everyone that spent a week fishing out of Trout Lake. Everyone knew him as “Mr. Nick” on the island. Everyone would stop by his cabin to visit him and see his fishing advice for the day. He made many close friends over the years, all over the USA and Canada.
Jim also enjoyed gardening, woodworking, spending time cooking, and reading a book. He loved sunflowers and his family. He was a very influential person to his grandchildren, who all followed in his footsteps in the culinary world.
His family includes his wife, Judy Nicholson; their children: John (& Jane) Nicholson and Kelli (& Michael) Kindley; 3 grandchildren: Tyler (& Paige) Kindley, Brett Kindley, and Ashley Kindley; his brother, Jack (& Judy) Nicholson; several nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and his stepmother, Burnette Nicholson.
Graveside committal with military rites will be Sunday, July 16, 2023, at 10:30 am at Lewisburg Cemetery in Wayne County, Iowa.
Those planning to attend the graveside service should plan to meet at Lewisburg Cemetery.
As was James’ wish, his body has been cremated and no visitation is planned. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
Memorials may be made to MHP Hospice Serenity House, Oskaloosa, Iowa.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of James Dean Nicholson please visit the Bates Funeral Chapel Sympathy Store.
