Maj. Thomas A. "Tommy" Nicholson

MAJ. THOMAS A. "TOMMY"
NICHOLSON, 90
U.S. Postal Service

LAKELAND - Maj. Thomas A. "Tommy" Nicholson (Retired), age 90, died of cancer February 6, 2010.
He was born February 23, 1919 in Bartow, FL to God-fearing and loving parents, T. A. "Nick" Nicholson and Rosa Lee Nicholson. He is survived by his wife, Frances Nicholson, one daughter, Nancy Williams of Summit, Mississippi and her husband Don Williams; two stepdaughters, Shelli Pafford, Tallahassee, Florida and her husband Bill Pafford and Linda Robinson, Lakeland, Florida, and her husband Greg Robinson; 7 grandchildren; and 1 great grandchild.
Tommy accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior at 10 years of age in a citywide revival. He became a member of the First Baptist Church in Lakeland, where he served for 42 years including 25 years as a deacon.
At 13 years of age his faith was tested on March 27, 1932 when his dad, a Lakeland police officer, Nick Nicholson, badge number 4, was the first Lakeland policeman to be killed in the line of duty.
Tommy finished Lakeland Sr. High School, class of 1935, with the help of his loving, caring Christian mother. He worked with Lalonde Electric Co., then Mine and Mill Supply Co.
With World War II on the horizon, Tommy at age 21 enlisted in the US Army Corp of Engineers and began his service in the Panama Canal Zone. He was awarded a citation his first year for being the best Private in his company.
After Pearl Harbor, Tommy applied and was accepted for pilot training as S/Sgt. Silver Wing Pilot. He graduated October 9, 1942 from Twin Engine Advanced Flight School at Ellington Field, Houston, Texas. He was assigned to Flying Training Bombardier School as an Instructor Pilot, flying 2600 hours training bombardiers, navigators and pilots for all weather instrument flying.
With WWII over in 1945, Tommy returned to Lakeland enrolling in Florida Southern College. Two years later, he took a Civil Service position starting March 1, 1947, in the Lakeland Post Office. He worked his way up to Assistant Finance Supervisor and then to foreman. He completed Florida Southern College in 1955 Cum laude with a B.S. degree. Tommy retired in 1978 after 31 years of service with the Lakeland Post Office. During some of that time he also served as a Civil Service Examiner for those who applied for Federal positions. He retired from the Ready Reserves as a major in 1966 but was never discharged. He took part in the founding of the Lakeland Postal Employees Federal Credit Union where he served as assistant treasurer for 15 years.
Tommy belonged to numerous organizations and is recognized for achievement in the American Air Museum in Duxford, England. He was a member of Bethel Baptist Church in North Lakeland. Tommy relied on the Bible promise, Jesus said, "I am with you always."
Family will receive friends on Tuesday, February 9, 2010 from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM at Bethel Baptist Church, 3125 West Socrum Loop Road, with a service to follow at 10:30 AM. Interment will be at Lakeland Memorial Gardens with military honors. Online guest book available at www.lakelandfuneralhome.com.