Colonel Nicholas C. Nicholas
It has pleased Almighty God, in His wise providence, to summon from the earthly existence to Himself the soul of His faithful servant, Colonel Nicholas C. Nicholas (Ret. USAF). Col. Nicholas departed his earthly existence on Sunday, July 18, 2021, at the United Regional Hospital in Wichita Falls, TX.
By the grace of God, he attained the age of 92 years. Born April 20, 1929, in Baltimore, MD, he was one of two children born to Constantiom and Helena (Colymniou) Nicola. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Timothy and daughter Lois Nicholas. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 43 years, Linda (Elkins) Nicholas, his daughter Caroline Nicholas, his stepson Tony (Shawn), stepdaughters Deborah and Jana (Carl) and several grandchildren, great grandchildren. He will be deeply missed by family and friends and those he leaves behind to cherish his memory.
Col. Nicholas retired from the United States Air Force as the Chief of the Biomedical Sciences Corps and Chief, Health Policy and Programs Division, Office of the Surgeon General, United States Air Force, Bolling Air Force Base Washington D.C.
Colonel Nicholas received his B.A. degree from the University of Maryland in 1952 and his master's degree in Public Administration, with emphasis on administration of science and technology programs, from the University of Oklahoma in 1973.
Colonel Nicholas joined the United States Air Force in 1952. Upon completion of Primary Observer School at Ellington Air Force Base, Texas in 1953 and Advanced Observer School at Ellington Air Force Base, California in 1954, he was assigned as a crew member on B-36 aircraft with the 301st Bombardment Squadron, 72nd Bomb Wing, Ramey Air Force Base, Puerto Rico. In February of 1956 he transferred to Carswell Air Force Base, Texas, where he served as a B-36 lead navigator with the 42nd
Bomb Squadron, 11th Bomb Wing. He then attended the Physiological Training Officers Course, School of Aviation Medicine, and upon his graduation in 1956 he became the Commander of the 4th Psychological Training Flight. Colonel Nicholas transferred to the Medical Service Corps in 1963, and subsequently to the Biomedical Sciences Corps when it was established. In July of 1963 he was assigned to Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, as Chief, Physiological Training, 825th Medical Group. In March 1966 he was transferred to Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, where he served as Consultant to the Command Surgeon, Strategic Air Command and Command Coordinator for Aerospace Physiology Programs. In February 1970 Colonel Nicholas was assigned to Kadena Air Force Base, Okinawa, as Commander, 15th Physiological Training Flight with additional duties as the Command Coordinator for Aerospace Physiology Programs, HQ, Pacific Air Forces. In August 1972, he was assigned to the United States Air Force school of Healthcare Sciences, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, where he served as Chief, Department of Medicine, during this period, he also served as Command Advisor, Biomedical Sciences, Air Training Command. In September 1976, he was assigned as Chief Medical Systems Division, Tri-Service Medical Information Systems, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Washington, DC, and in February 1978 he was selected as Chief, Health Policy and Programs Division, Office of the Surgeon General, Bolling Air Force Base. He became the Chief of Biomedical Sciences on August 31, 1981.
His military awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Air Medal, and the Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster. He also holds the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Air Force Expeditionary Forces Medal for Korea, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with six oak leaf clusters, the American National Defense Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with five battle stars, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with palm, the Marksmanship ribbon, and the Vietnamese Service Medal.
Colonel Nicholas was a member of the Aerospace Medical Association and the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States.
Funeral Service for Mr. Nicholas was held Saturday, July 24, 2021 at 1:00PM at the First Baptist Church in Waurika with Bruce Humphries officiating. Burial will be in the Waurika Cemetery under the direction of Dudley Funeral Home in Waurika. Visitation was held Friday, July 23, 2021 from 10AM-7PM with family visitation from 5-7PM. Condolence messages may be sent to the family at www.dudleyfuneralhomes.com