Cover photo for Colonel Donald Nicholas's Obituary
Colonel Donald Nicholas Profile Photo

Colonel Donald Nicholas

August 13, 1926 — July 8, 2017

Colonel Donald Nicholas


Colonel (USAF Ret) Donald Roy “Nick” Nicholas, 90, passed away on July 8, 2017 in Bryan, Texas.
Funeral services will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Bryan, Texas on Saturday, July 22, at 2 p.m.
Nick was born on August 13, 1926 to Roy and Birdie (Mitchell) Nicholas. He grew up in Fort Worth, Texas. As a child, Nick was a spectacular athlete and once even won a Duncan Yo-Yo competition. Nick graduated from Mineral Wells High School and was the Texas A&M University Class of ’48, where he played football for the school. Nick graduated in 1950 after leaving Texas A&M briefly to serve his country during WWII. Because education was so important to Nick, he returned to school and received his Masters degree from George Washington University in 1964. Nick was a pilot for the United States Air Force until his retirement in 1976. He flew the B-29, B-47, B-52, and FB-111 bombers and saw combat in both Korea and Vietnam.
Nick married Mary Elizabeth McLaughlin in 1952, and the two were blessed with four children: Jacquelyn Nicholas Duplantis, Kirk Mitchell, Donald Arthur and Gregory Martin Nicholas.
Nick and Mary served as a second family to many Aggies over the years, with Nick’s boys (all of whom attended Texas A&M University) often bringing home friends for a home-cooked meal. Those students often would end up visiting many times, becoming part of the extended Nicholas family.
Nick was an avid sportsman, which was why, until the age of 88, he could be found in the gym daily. Tennis, golf, cycling and many other outdoor activities were hobbies of Nick’s. He was a member of the Westminster Presbyterian Church, the “Been Shot At” Group, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and the Texas A&M University Letterman’s Club.
Nick was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mary Nicholas, and his younger sister, Gene Nicholas Doolittle. He leaves behind his four children; nine grandchildren, Jennifer, Kyle, Alex, Sam, Alex, Matt, Amanda, Sarah and Erin; and four great-grandchildren, Ainsley, Addison, Eli and Grace.
Please share any tributes or memories for Nick to www.hillierfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Colonel Donald Nicholas, please visit our flower store.

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