Walter D. Nicholson

Walter D. Nicholson, 98, left to join his wife in Heaven on October 23, 2024, less than five weeks after her passing. Born in Cleveland, Georgia on May 4, 1926, he was the son of Ruby Meaders Allen and Carlton Allen. His parents divorced early in his young life, and he spent much of his very early years in PA with his grandparents. His mother moved to Akron, Ohio to get a job in the rubber companies. Once she was settled, he and his sister, Frances, moved to Akron. She soon married T. Edward Nicholson, and he began to use Nicholson as his last name. Carlton Allen came to visit him at school, but those visits seemed to cause much anxiety. His father hoped as he became an adult, he would be interested in a relationship. 

Walt participated in youth activities at the Akron Baptist Temple, and it was there he spotted Margie Montgomery and asked someone to introduce them. That evening he hurried home to tell his mom he had met the girl he was going to marry. He asked Margie to wait for him until he returned from his service in the Army. She wrote to him every single day for the 2 years he was gone. 

When he enlisted in the Army in WWII, he discovered he had not been legally adopted. Because he had been using the name Nicholson for so long, the military accepted his name as Walter D. Nicholson altering his birth certificate. That change weighed heavily on him. He spent his time in the Philippines and during the Occupation of Japan. Walt contracted malaria while in the Philippines and nearly died. He recollected his commanding officer sitting up with him all night long until the worst was over. He never forgot it.

Margie was waiting for him when he returned from the War, and they married April 27, 1947.

Walt spent 42 years with the Carter Lumber Co. Initially he worked in the mill at Carter Jones and then in sales. As the company grew, he became store manager in the Carter organization. It was the Carter Lumber in Solon where he spent most of his career. 

He excelled in cabinet making and sold the lumber for many homes in Tallmadge. He could build anything from the 2 houses he and Margie lived in, to furniture for his daughters and grandchildren. Margie called him “a genius with wood”. His son-in-law, Nick, always called him Chief, and they worked on many house projects together. Walt was a great teacher, and Nick was a great student. They were buddies…he was the son he never had. 

In his later years, he found a new hobby, woodturning. He loved going to meetings and demonstrations at Buckeye Woodworkers and Wood Turners where he learned new turning techniques. Christmastime was always simply the BEST! It was such a surprise to find out what wood creation he had been working on for each daughter. And as the grandchildren came along, they were included in the Christmas surprise! It was a collaboration with Margie…often starting in the summer with the plans. Walt gave woodturnings for his granddaughter’s school fundraisers at CVCA and for several fundraisers at First Congregational Church of Tallmadge where he had been a member for over 20 years. He volunteered for many years at the Induction Ceremony for the National Gallery for America’s Young Inventors. Whenever there was a wooden plaque or stand needed, all one had to do was ask and he’d have it ready the next day. 

With the help of his Aunt Ellabelle Jackson, after 39 years of being apart, the unexpected happened when Walt met his dad Carlton Allen in 1980. Carl and Ellabelle drove to Silver Lake from Asheville, NC. Carl was a handsome, Godly man; characteristics of his son, Walter. From that weekend on until Carl’s death in 1992, every Saturday morning Walt or one of the girls could expect a phone call. These were truly priceless memories. 

Never having uttered a swear word, the girls always knew dad was mad when they’d hear “fiddlesticks” come out of his mouth. He set the bar high for being a wonderful father and grandfather. 

Walt was a member of the Coventry Masonic Lodge #83 for over 75 years, the Scottish Rite, Valley of Canton for over 65 years, and the American Legion -Cuyahoga Falls Chapter.

Preceded in death by his parents, and his sisters Frances Gastaldo and Barbara Briggs. He leaves behind his three daughters: Debb Jirous, Monna (Nick) Frankovits and Nancy Nicholson; and his 3 grandchildren Carson (Abby) Frankovits, Cassie Jirous and Evan (Melissa) Frankovits. Two great granddaughters were added to the family tree with the birth of Quinn Frankovits and June Frankovits.

Private memorial service will be held for the family. Walt will be interred with military honors at Stow Cemetery, and will be laid to rest next to his wife Margie. A public Celebration of Life will be held 4-6 P.M. TUESDAY November 26th at Bissler & Sons Funeral Home and Crematory. Memorial Contributions may be made to the National Museum of Education, 4301 Darrow Road, Suite 3200, Stow, OH 44224 or the Buckeye Woodworkers & Wood Turners C/O Dirk Falther, 4546 Turnberry Trail, Stow, OH 44224. 

Services in care of Bissler & Sons Funeral Home and Crematory, 628 W. Main Street Kent, OH 44240.