Jay Victor Nickelson
March 16, 2012
Resided in:
Atlanta, GA
OBITUARY for Jay Victor Nickelson
The Rev. Jay Victor Nickelson, 88, of Atlanta passed away peacefully on Friday, March 16, in the company of family members, at VistaCare Hospice at Emory University Hospital. He was the son of A. L. and Ella Nickelson and was preceded in death by his parents and a son, Lee Hardemen Nickelson.
He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Mary Jane of Atlanta, and a brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Agnusia of Athens. Children Jane Jim Haigler of Cartersville, Eileen Myers of Statham, and Mary Rex Smith of Alpharetta.
Surviving grandchildren include Kathryn John Ballard, John Bumgarner, Lee Ann Peppers, Ron Karen Smith, Ryan Smith, Nathan Smith, Michael Arielle Haigler, and Alan Haigler; great grandchildren Maya and Toby Ballard; Emma, Leah and Sarah Smith; Bailey Haigler, Jasmine Horton and niece, Dr. Jen Nickelson and family.
The Rev. Nickelson was born and raised in Atlanta and graduated from Boy's High and Emory University. He joined the Navy in 1945 where he served as an aviator before attending Union Theological Seminary in New York. As a naval reservist, he was called back to active duty during the Berlin Blockade where he served as a flight instructor. He then served at St. Alban's Episcopal Church in Elberton and Church of the Mediator in Washington, Georgia. In 1952 he returned to active duty as a Navy chaplain.
Upon retiring from his 28 year Navy career in 1970, he was assigned by the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta to St. Edward's Mission in Lawrenceville and St. Anthony's Mission in Winder. During his tenure, both missions became parishes and built their own church buildings. When he retired, he was named "Victor Emeritus" of St. Edward's where the parish hall would later be named after him and his wife.
He was instrumental in the formation of Project ADAM, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Ministry in Winder, for which he received a plaque in 2006 in appreciation for 25 years of service to this ministry.
A memorial service will be held at 3:00 PM on Saturday, March 24 at St. Edward's Episcopal Church in Lawrenceville, Georgia. There will be a reception following the service.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to St. Edward's or St. Anthony's Episcopal Churches, Project Adam, or Camp Mikell, 237 Camp Mikell Court, Toccoa, GA 30577. The body was donated to the Emory University School of Medicine.
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as Fr.Nickelson said: Be that as it may.
Mary Jane and Family: He was an absolute joy in our lives. I often sought his company and advice, and he was an excellent storyteller. Not many like him come along. Even as we mourn we rejoice in his life, which was full and rich and good.
John Via+ and Allie Hardwick
sometime rector of Mediator, Washington; St. Alban’s, Elberton;
and Redeemer, Greensboro; former Dean of the North+East Georgia Convocation. Now living on the banks of the Shenandoah River in Port Republic, VA.
Mary: I was saddened to hear of your father’s passing. I remember him being such a good man, who was always very kind to me when I came around to see you. My mom still lives in Forrest Hills, and I think of you often as I pass by your old house. Please accept my condolences, and my warmest regards. Your long-ago Lawrenceville friend,
Mrs. Nickelson, Jane, and family,
I was saddened to hear of Chaplain Nickelson’s death, my dad was stationed at MCSC Albany, Ga in the 1960’s when he was the Protestant Chaplain. He gave myself and so many Marine and Navy youth a strong foundation to our Christian faith. He gave his time and energy to organize a youth fellowship group at the Chapel. This group provided us with so many activities including dances, hayrides and most important spiritual growth. His impact on my life was positive and there are many more who attended the youth activities who feel the same. May God comfort your family and give you all peace as only He can. My heartfelt sympathy to you all.
Mrs. Nickelson, Jane, and family,
I was saddened to hear of Chaplain Nickelson’s death, my dad was stationed at MCSC Albany, Ga in the 1960’s when he was the Protestant Chaplain. He gave myself and so many Marine and Navy youth a strong foundation to our Christian faith. He gave his time and energy to organize a youth fellowship group at the Chapel. This group provided us with so many activities including dances, hayrides and most important spiritual growth. His impact on my life was positive and there are many more who attended the youth activities who feel the same. May God comfort your family and give you all peace as only He can. My heartfelt sympathy to you all.
To the family of Mr. Nickelson:
I wanted to offer condolence to you in this time of loss and reflection. It can be quite heavy on the heart at the passing of a loved one. However, I also wanted to provide a bit of Biblical encouragement. When Jesus was on earth he too experienced the loss of a dear loved one and expressed real sorrow at that loss towards the person and the surviving family members. However, Jesus was empowered by his heavenly father to reverse the effects of that passing. The Biblical account is quite faith strengthening and provides true hope for the future of our loved ones. Please read JOHN 11: 5 to 45. I hope you may find genuine comfort from this account and encouraged to know that Jesus shall be doing this work on a far grander scale in the near future. Take care, and I send my compassion and fellow feeling to the you and your friends.