Lee Nicholson Obituary

LEE NICHOLSON SEP 15, 1936 - MAR 19, 2011 Coy Lee Nicholson, 74, of Modesto, went home to be with the Lord on March 19, 2011. His rich legacy of achievements include: Graduate of Little Rock Junior College, Millsaps College and University of Mississippi in 1959. His English teaching career began at Turlock High School in 1959 through 1964. He continued as an Instructor at Modesto Junior College, 1964 -1996. His subjects included creative writing, English, history of antiques and the arts. Author: Common Ground, 2000; author and illustrator, Speak Easy, 2005. He founded the Retha Alice Medley Nicholson prize Yellville-Summitt High School, Arkansas, 2001. Lee was the Recipient, Certificate of Recognition for Achievement in Literary Arts, Stanislaus County Arts Council, California, 2001 and was Wall Street Journal Fellow, Fresno State University Scholar in 1961. Awarded National Endowment for the Humanities, 1964 and 1978 with studies at Harvard and Oxford, England. Member - Academy of American Poets, and recognized in Who's Who in America, 2007. Lee will be remembered as an accomplished Poet, Calligrapher and Critic. The brilliance of his creative mind was out-shown only by his generosity and kindness of spirit. Lee is survived by his sisters and their spouses, Reverend Constance B. and Jerry Pack of Modesto. Candace Nicholson Hioki and Robert Hioki of Monterey Park, niece, Beverly Aderholt of Modesto; nephew, Winton H. Nicholson of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii; and niece, Heather Barnreuther of Redondo Beach, California. Grand-nephews and grand- nieces include: Taylor and Summer Aderholt of Modesto; Zara, Zion and Ezekiel Nicholson of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii; and, Elena, Maya and Lucia Barnreuther of Redondo Beach, California. He is predeceased by his beloved brother, Raynor Hargrove Nicholson (1946 - 1985) and his parents, Reverend Coy H. and Retha Nicholson. Memorial Service will be held at Bethel Church, 2361 Scenic Drive, Prayer Chapel, Friday, March 25, at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Knowing The Word, P.O. Box, 576641, Modesto, CA 95357. www.modbee.com/obituaries

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Published by Modesto Bee from Mar. 23 to Mar. 24, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Lee Nicholson

13 Entries

Vivian Patton

December 27, 2024

Lee was an inspiration for so many of his students. He was my instructor at Modest Junior College. One of my fondest memories about Lee was when he would read to the class. His voice and manner took on each of the characters so believably. Listening to Lee read brought all the images in our imagination become clear and entertaining. I think of him many times when working in my art studio. He is still inspiring me.

Dolores Elzenga-Roller

May 31, 2018

A very memorable and special senior english teacher I will never forget. Rest in peace.

Janet McCann

January 6, 2013

I only found out recently when my letter was returned that Lee was gone--our friendship had no context. We corresponded sporadically for 30 years. Lee's creativity was astounding, his mind electric, his friendship a pleasure and a comfort.

Steve Peterson

April 19, 2011

Lee Nicholson was my English teacher at Turlock High School in 1961. He was bright, hardworking and inspired high school students to think, in spite of themselves. I never forgot his lessons on errors in rhetoric and I never forgot who taught them to me. I am sure he added value to the lives of every student that he taught.

March 28, 2011

Because I could not stop for Death,
He kindly stopped for me;
The carriage held but just ourselves
And Immortality.
We slowly drove, he knew no haste,
And I had put away
My labor, and my leisure too,
For his civility.ED

leilani Young

March 28, 2011

Brilliant and funny with a wry wit, he liked to spend words generously . We were very lucky to have him here.I'll miss him

Teri Marquis Gartner

March 27, 2011

Words strangle me right now, Lee, as I think of you uprooted and floating effortlessly into the universe. Fly into your next life with the same poetic passion that has illuminated so many for so many moons, in this one. Rest in peace, Lee. You will be greatly missed.

Jim Welch

March 25, 2011

Lee Nicholson's creative writing class at MJC was one of my most enjoyable college experiences. Lee inspired and was everything you would expect from a great teacher.

Jim Welch

C.L. Everett

March 24, 2011

Lee was a fun, crazy, intelligent, sweet and crazy guy. I had him in a dual class with Ron. The two of them were such a great team. Lee was a great spirit, a multi talented artist-poet who made his students feel worshipped.

Nancy Thomas Goodman

March 24, 2011

I was privileged to have Mr. Nicholson as my teacher for jr. and sr. year English at Turlock High School. His ability to make literature "come alive" and connect with students was memorable. I was inspired by him to pursue degrees in English lit. and become a teacher, which I did. I'm grateful to have been able to personally thank him over the years.
My condolences to his family.
RIP, Mr. Nicholson...

March 24, 2011

" Mr. Nicholson was one of those unique and special teachers that a student never forgets". Dolores Roller (Logansport, In.)

March 24, 2011

"We all retain memories of those very few "special" teachers that continue to influence our lives long past the moments of actual instruction. Mr. Nicholson taught creative writing with a passion that is still with me today." Ed Koops (Redding,Ca.)

Elaine Elliott

March 23, 2011

Of all the teachers I was blessed to have, Lee stood out as one of the very best. I learned from him how to write, how to enjoy poetry and how to ask good questions. I hold in my memory his ability to laugh and connect with students.

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