Jay Victor Nickelson

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.