James Earl Nicholson

James Earl Nicholson, Jr., 84, of Candler, died Saturday, July 14, 2012, at the N.C. State Veteran's Home, in Salisbury. An Asheville native, Mr. Nicholson was a son of the late James Earl, Sr. and Georgia Nesmith Nicholson. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Jack Nicholson. Mr. Nicholson was a graduate of Lee H. Edwards High School and of Asheville-Biltmore College, and was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He later retired as a mail carrier after working for the U.S. Postal Service for 30 years. He also served as an Officer in the U.S. Postal Union. Mr. Nicholson was a skilled leader, coaching with Little League baseball for over 10 years, and also serving on their board. He was also a Scout Leader for the Cub Scouts for many years. Mr. Nicholson was an avid U.N.C. Tar Heels and New York Yankees fan. He was a member of West Asheville Baptist Church. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Mary L. Capps Nicholson; sons, Larry K. Nicholson (Carole), Dallas S. Nicholson (Marsha), and Jeffrey Todd Nicholson; daughter, Jill Nicholson Wilson (Stan); grandchildren, Brian, Chris, Amy, and Andrew Nicholson, Lora W. Mattesich, Tanya M. Raines, and Michael Nicholson; great-grandchildren, Katie S., and Grace O. Raines, Dakota, Parker, and Jackson Mattesich, and Corbin and Xander Nicholson; and brothers, George A. Nicholson, and John H. Nicholson (Rebecca). A funeral service will be held on Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. at the Groce Funeral Home chapel on Patton Ave with the Rev. Ed Jennings officiating. Interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park with military honors provided by the North Carolina National Guard. His family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the NC State Veterans Home, 1601 Brenner Avenue, Salisbury, NC 28145.