Clarence W Nicholas

Obituary For Clarence W Nicholas

Services will be held Saturday, July 8, 2023 at:

Harvest Assembly Baptist Church 8008 Fordson Rd Alexandria, VA 22306

Viewing: 2pm

Service: 3pm

Burial will be Monday, July 10, 2023:

Time: 11:30 am

Quantico National Cemetery 18424 Joplin Rd. Triangle, VA 22172

At the families request in lieu of flowers please make donations to the Wounded Warriors Project.

https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/Default.aspx?tsid=11585&ovr_acv_id=16235&campaignSource=ONLINE&source=BS23022FAABREMA&gad=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7_f7vYvz_wIV1yfUAR3Q-wP8EAAYASAAEgJjS_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Clarence Wayne Nicholas was born to Russell Cornelius and Eleanor Louise Nicholas (Smith) on February 7, 1956, in the Franklin Township of PA. The family moved to Springfield, MA when he was about 6 years old. Clarence attended Springfield Public Schools and played football while attending the High School of Commerce. He graduated in 1974 and enlisted in the United States Air Force (USAF) IN February 1975. His first assignment after basic training was Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, MS. During his career, he served at Pope AFB, NC, Clark AB, Philippines, Lajes AB, Portugal and Andrews AFB, MD.

While at the High School of Commerce, Clarence met the love of his life, Linda Johnson in 1971 and they were married on August 7, 1976. They were blessed with two sons, Brandon C and Cody R. Nicholas. Clarence was a great husband, father, brother, uncle and played so many roles in the lies of his family and friends. He was caring and had a true genuine love for his family and friends. If needed, he was always there to provide support, guidance and lodging to the family members and was also known as the family Travel Agent and oftentimes Medical Advisor. Clarence enjoyed working out and could be found at one of the local gyms each morning. Clarence also enjoyed cycling and for a number of years raised money for the Wounded Warriors Project. He planned family trips and often put together surprise outings with Linda and their bestfriends Larry Sr. and Mary Franklin. Holidays were always a great time between the Nichols and Franklin households and enjoyed by all who attended. Clarence completed several military courses to include Senior Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) Academy, NCO Leadership School, Medical Service Technician, OJT Manager Supervisor Course and Medical Service Fundamentals. Clarence also received several decorations, medals and awards; Meritorious Service Medal, AF Commendation Medal, AF Outstanding Unit Award, Combat Readiness Medal, AF Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal (when he served in Support of Desert Shield/Storm), AF Overseas Long Tour Ribbon, AF Longevity Service Award Ribbon, NCO Professional Military Education Graduate Ribbon, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon and more. Clarence retired from the USAF as the Medical Service Superintendent at Eglin AFB, FL i February 1995 after serving 20 years.

Clarence could not stay away from the medical field for long and began his Fairfax County Health Department career in January 1999 as a School Health Aide assigned to Stratford Landing Elementary School. He was a treasured role model and mentor to his students. He even volunteered as part of the parent buddy programs where students were matched up with school staff in various activities to include bowling and learning to play chess. In August 2015, Clarence was promoted to a then-new position of Senior Health Aide.

His commitment to excellence was instrumental in developing this new program. In the field his encouragement and professionalism were critical to the success of both school health aides and nurses. Clarence was also integral to the COVID-19 response from March 2019 through December2020. While deployed, he served as Supply Unit/Distribution Manager, and then moved on to Grand Support Unit Leader. Although he retired in Feb 2021, he returned to support the School Health program during a critical staffing shortage. The Health Department family is grateful for these additional years working alongside Clarence.

Clarence made friends and enjoyed talking to people wherever he went. Whether it was bowling as part of the Alfred Street Baptist Church (ASBC) Bowling League, making sandwiches as a volunteer for the ASBC missions ministry, golfing and fishing with his sons and nephews or meeting up with the Spin Cycle crew at the gym.

Clarence is preceded in death by his parents; Russell and Eleanor Nicholas, brother-in-law, Charles H. Ferguson, Jr., sister-in-law, Kathlene Ferguson and nephew, David Gatling. Left to cherish his memories are his beloved wife, Linda Nicholas, two sons, Brandon and Cody Nicholas (Temeka); three granddaughters, Makenzie, Madison and Saryn Nicholas; four siblings, Gloria Gatling (Ralph), Jacqueline Covington, Daryl Nicholas (Anita) and Bryan Nicholas (Jeanine); three nieces he grew up with who were more like sisters, Bobbi Earley, Valerie Earley, Gwendolyn Cox (Thomas) and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and bonus nieces and nephews from both his side and Linda's side of the family; sister-in-law, Cynthia Ferguson, Tanya Hart, Elaine (Ferguson) Cannon and Ruby (Ferguson) Knox; brother-n-law Joe Johnson; best friends Larry Sr. and Mary Franklin and their children, Rukiya and Larry Franklin, Jr. (India); and MANY more family and friends who will profoundly miss him.

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