John Vester Nicholson

John Vester Nicholson, age 79, passed away at his home January 6th, 2026.

On November 6th, 1946, John was born in New Brockton, Alabama, the youngest of four brothers of the late Vela Mildred (Bludworth) and Robert Forrest Nicholson.

He joined the United States Army November 1966 and left with an honorable discharge in November 1972, in which time he spent time working with the Military Police.

John worked with the Department of Conservation as the Alabama Deputy State Fire Marshal. Although stationed in Enterprise, Alabama, he was responsible for covering six counties and had to travel all over the state.

He spent 19 years working with the Ozark Police Department. Starting as a patrolman, he quickly made his way into the criminal investigation division. There, he worked his way from sergeant all the way up to Police Chief. In his career, he trained with the FBI, worked as a Special Investigator, aided in training peace officers, and worked several high-profile cases.

He was pulled out of retirement to work as the Midland City Police Chief, and went on to work with the Peace Officer's Standards and Training Commission before finally retiring and dedicating his time to fishing.

John will be missed by: his spouse Pamela; stepchildren Violet and Gerald Robinson; family Greg and Jeffie Nicholson and their children Mary Nicholson and William Nicholson; David (Elaine) Nicholson; Angie (Mike) McFetters; Andy (Dawn) Plant; Nellie Johnson; and his many neighbors and friends.

Including his parents Vela and Robert Nicholson, John was preceded in death by: his brothers; Robert Maylon, Charles Malloy, and Roy Lomax; and grandparents John Oscar and Ella Nicholson, and Alto Vester and Ellie Bludworth.

A celebration of life will be held at 2pm EST on Saturday, January 17th, 2026 at 414 S Broad St, Bainbridge, Georgia.