Joseph Tucker Nicholson

Joe Nicholson, loving husband, father and grandfather went peacefully to be by his Lord’s side on Friday, August 2, 2024.

He was born on January 20, 1937, in Oklahoma City and his parents were Dr. Ben H. and Winifred (Tucker) Nicholson.

Joe attended St. Gregory’s in Shawnee, an all-male Benedictine high school, where he was a four-year letterman in track and football. After graduating, he attended St. John’s University in Collegeville, MN, where he earned a BA degree in Economics and Business. During his time there, he lettered for three years in football as a wide receiver under coach John Gagliardi, the winningest coach in college football history.

While in Minnesota, he met and married the love of his life, Patrisha Holden. They enjoyed 61 blessed years of marriage. As an enlistee in the Army Reserves, he was called to active duty during the Berlin Crisis and later was honorably discharged as Sergeant First Class.

After returning to OKC with his new wife, Joe continued his education, earning an MBA with an emphasis in Finance from Oklahoma City University. He was a dedicated civil servant, working for the state of Oklahoma for 38 years as an assistant manager in various departments, including Central Data Processing of OK, the Social Security Disability Determination Unit, and the Medical Services Division for the Department of Human Services.

Joe’s lifelong passion for volunteerism is evident in his 39 years of service as a board member of the Department for Public Welfare Credit Union (now Credit Union One), where he served many years as Chairman. He also applied his financial expertise as a volunteer Treasurer for the Data Processing Management Association, Fenwick Garden Village HOA, and the Knights of Columbus chapters at St. Eugene and Christ the King Catholic Churches. Joe received numerous awards recognizing his excellence and dedication as a volunteer.

One of Joe’s most cherished honors was becoming a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus, the highest and most prestigious rank in the Order, whose primary purpose is to foster and encourage active Catholic citizenship. Joe volunteered as a church usher, led Bible study groups, and was the “go-to guy” for many church fundraising activities.

Joe was an avid fisherman, landscaper, and card player, and he also enjoyed making homemade wine, Kahlúa, and limoncello. He loved road trips and took his young family on many cross-country excursions. After retirement, he and Pat enjoyed numerous travel adventures, cruising the Caribbean, and exploring European locales by riverboat, ferry, and train.

Joe is survived by his three children - Jeff (wife Colette) from CO, Jennifer Nicholson Steuber (husband Jason) from KS and Joel (wife Tobi) from FL - and six grandchildren whom he cherished: Jordan, Joshua, Jacob, Jessica, Jett, and Jake. He is also survived by his brother, Jim Nicholson (wife Susan), sister Jane Nicholson Worsley along with many beloved nieces and nephews.

Joe was preceded in death by wife Pat, brother John and his wife, Judy and his parents.

A Mass of Christian Burial celebrating Joe’s life will be 10:00 am, Saturday, September 28, 2024 at Christ the King Church in OKC.  The service will be live streamed at: https://www.ckokc.org/live-streaming

In lieu of flowers, the request is for a donation to the Knights of Columbus Chapter 12669 c/o Christ the King Church. 8005 Dorset Drive, OKC, OK 73120

The family thanks Joe’s medical teams at Integris, Mercy Hospital, Mercy at Home and especially the angels at Saint Ann Assisted Living where he spent the last weeks of his life in safe comfort and loving care.