Roy Charles Nicholson

Roy Charles Nicholson, 86, of Georgetown Texas, passed away, at home, on March 12, 2026.

Roy was born on February 24, 1940, in Pittsfield, Illinois to Charles Myron Nicholson and Martha Louise (Bagby) Nicholson. He was the second child, growing up with sisters Nancy, Mary and M. Kay.

The family moved to Indiana between his Freshman and Sophomore years, where he lettered in four sports at Pike High School. There he met the love of his life, Phyllis Diane Summers.

Upon high school graduation, he turned down football scholarship offers to attend General Motors Institute in Flint, Michigan. The work/study program at GMI allowed Roy and Phyllis to marry on August 8, 1959. After graduating with a BS in Mechanical Engineering, he accepted a Fellowship to attend Columbia University in New York City.

Upon completion of his Masters in Mechanical Engineering he continued his employment with General Motors with a position at the Advanced Product Engineering Staff at the Technical Center in Warren, Michigan. Roy helped to pioneer and perfect emissions control systems during his career. He also worked at Buick Motor Division where he was a leader on the storied 3800 V6 engine. He finished his career as an Engineering Executive at GM Powertrain Group. Roy performed all his jobs with the highest of integrity and was a beloved leader.

The family residence moved to the property referred to as Bogside (Dryden Twp. Michigan) in 1980. Roy cultivated a small orchard of heirloom fruit trees, reminiscent of his own Grandfather’s Stark Nursery sales days, and his early years spent on small family farms. Grandkids learned to drive golf carts, shoot pool, and were exposed to puns and Dad jokes here.

Early retirement in 1992, left time for Roy and Phyllis to start their travels and search for a warm weather winter residence. The Big Trip to New Zealand highlighted the travel tour. In the meantime, communities were interviewed for winter escape. One spring, he and Phyllis drove into the Central Texas Hill Country as the bluebonnets were blooming. Keep Austin Weird was selected and they stayed in a condo at 9th and Lamar until Austin grew too busy to be walkable. Georgetown was selected for the next chapter.

Roy was always involved in sports. Church softball player and coach, basketball, backyard baseball, etc. He ran until he could no longer run. Then he walked until the week of his death.

Wherever he went, he walked with God. He set the example for his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He held various leadership positions at the churches he and Phyllis attended. Roy really enjoyed Jack’s Sunday School class at Crestview Baptist Church. His family knows where he currently resides and that we will see him again.

Roy is survived by his wife of 66 years, Phyllis, sons David (Lisa) and Daniel (Robin), daughter Elizabeth (Larry) Soutar, grandchildren David Matthew (Abbey) Nicholson, Kelsea Nicholson, Kevin Nicholson, Corinne Soutar (Pradeep Kumar), Erin Soutar, Samantha (James) Lightsey, John Klein, and Eric Rescoe, great grandchildren Jackson, Reagan and Amelia Nicholson and Arthur Roy Lightsey. He is also survived by his sisters Mary Ann (Charles) DeLong and Martha Kay Nicholson and many nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.

Roy was preceded in death by his parents and older sister Nancy Sue Nicholson. A Celebration of Life will be held on April 4th, 2026 at 2:00 pm at Crestview Baptist Church, located on 2300 Williams Drive, Georgetown, TX 78628.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the Crestview Baptist Church Building Fund Georgetown Texas.