1929
George
2017
George Nicholson
March 28, 1929 — November 10, 2017
George “Joe” T. Nicholson, of Gladstone, Mo., died Friday, Nov. 10, 2017, surrounded by family. He was 88.
Joe was born in Corona, Kan., on March 28, 1929, to Matthew and Maggie (Marietta) Nicholson and grew up in Pittsburg, Kan. He was an older brother to Bill and Betty. He graduated from Pittsburg High School in 1946.
His nickname “Joe” came from his grandmother, Mimi Marietta, who shortened the name “George” to the Italian “Geo” when he was a child.
He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He achieved the rank of sergeant before being honorably discharged in 1953.
In 1959, Joe met and married Shirley Tutt from Hastings, England. Their first date was to a Kansas City Athletics game, where he introduced his future wife to the American sport of baseball. They were engaged within six weeks, and were married two weeks later.
Joe and Shirley spent the early portion of their marriage traveling between construction projects across Kansas before settling in Gladstone, Mo., in 1965.
He was employed as a pipefitter at the Ford plant in Claycomo, Mo., for 30 years before retiring in 1994. A proud member of the United Auto Workers Local 249, he continued to support and meet with his union brothers until his death.
Joe was an ardent Kansas City Chiefs fan from the very beginning. Even during the not-so-good years, he was a faithful supporter of the red and gold.
There were few sports he didn’t enjoy, but he had a special love for golf, hunting and fishing. He made sure all of his children and grandchildren had a chance to enjoy these activities as he did.
He was a member of the American Legion Post 626 in Gladstone, Mo. He was recently recognized for his 62-year continuous membership in the organization.
He also was an outstanding member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
He is survived by his wife; his children, Marie Hill of St. Louis and husband, David; James Nicholson and wife, Sherri, of Baldwin City, Kan.; Kevin Nicholson and wife, Kim, of Platte City, Mo.; and Leigh Anne Bathke and husband, Joe, of Baldwin City, Kan.; seven grandchildren, Sam and Max Eveland, of St. Louis; Morgan, Hunter and Ryleigh Nicholson, of Platte City, Mo.; and Joss and Wyatt Bathke, of Baldwin City, Kan.; his brother, Bill; his sister, Betty Blessant, of Pittsburg, Kan.; and nephews.
Private services will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to Heartland Honor Flight, P.O. Box 12047, Kansas City, Mo. 64152.
Joe was born in Corona, Kan., on March 28, 1929, to Matthew and Maggie (Marietta) Nicholson and grew up in Pittsburg, Kan. He was an older brother to Bill and Betty. He graduated from Pittsburg High School in 1946.
His nickname “Joe” came from his grandmother, Mimi Marietta, who shortened the name “George” to the Italian “Geo” when he was a child.
He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He achieved the rank of sergeant before being honorably discharged in 1953.
In 1959, Joe met and married Shirley Tutt from Hastings, England. Their first date was to a Kansas City Athletics game, where he introduced his future wife to the American sport of baseball. They were engaged within six weeks, and were married two weeks later.
Joe and Shirley spent the early portion of their marriage traveling between construction projects across Kansas before settling in Gladstone, Mo., in 1965.
He was employed as a pipefitter at the Ford plant in Claycomo, Mo., for 30 years before retiring in 1994. A proud member of the United Auto Workers Local 249, he continued to support and meet with his union brothers until his death.
Joe was an ardent Kansas City Chiefs fan from the very beginning. Even during the not-so-good years, he was a faithful supporter of the red and gold.
There were few sports he didn’t enjoy, but he had a special love for golf, hunting and fishing. He made sure all of his children and grandchildren had a chance to enjoy these activities as he did.
He was a member of the American Legion Post 626 in Gladstone, Mo. He was recently recognized for his 62-year continuous membership in the organization.
He also was an outstanding member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
He is survived by his wife; his children, Marie Hill of St. Louis and husband, David; James Nicholson and wife, Sherri, of Baldwin City, Kan.; Kevin Nicholson and wife, Kim, of Platte City, Mo.; and Leigh Anne Bathke and husband, Joe, of Baldwin City, Kan.; seven grandchildren, Sam and Max Eveland, of St. Louis; Morgan, Hunter and Ryleigh Nicholson, of Platte City, Mo.; and Joss and Wyatt Bathke, of Baldwin City, Kan.; his brother, Bill; his sister, Betty Blessant, of Pittsburg, Kan.; and nephews.
Private services will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to Heartland Honor Flight, P.O. Box 12047, Kansas City, Mo. 64152.
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