A funeral service for R.C. Nicholson, 97, of Gary, will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 2, 2015, at Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow with military honors and masonic rites at Boynton Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home. Mr. Nicholson passed away on Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 27, 2015, in Carthage.

Reuben Clifford "R.C." Nicholson was born on Oct. 13, 1918, Elberfeld, Indiana to the late John Clifford and Rebecca Carrie Powell Nicholson. He served his country in the U.S. Navy during WWII. He married Gladys Eugenia Carlson on Feb. 21, 1948, in Austin. She preceded him in death on Apr. 18, 2015. Mr. Nicholson worked as a manager of an Exxon Service Station in Houston for 35 years before his retirement in 1985, at which time he moved to Gary. He was a mason for over 71 years, served on the Soil and Water Conservation District for over 20 years, and served on the Gary School Board for 19 years. Mr. Nicholson was a proud member of the NRA, a long-time Boy Scout Troop leader, a member of the Panola County Cattleman's Assn. He was a member of Murvaul U.M.C. where he was a member of the Methodist Men. Mr. Nicholson was also preceded in death by three siblings, Dorothy Revella French, Ralph Marion Nicholson, and Sylvia Irene Foster; and a half-brother, Hershel Clifford Nicholson.

Mr. Nicholson is survived by his son, Billy Dale Nicholson of Gary; daughter, Rebecca Cecelia Mallett and husband Richard of Bayfield, CO; grandchildren, Travis Nicholson of Gary, Penny Jolley and husband John of Carthage, and Sam and Ryan Mallett of Bayfield; and great-grandchildren, Brent Nicholson and Macie, Kiley, and John-Henry Jolley.

Pallbearers are Tim Boone, Stephen Chmaitelli, Brent Nicholson, John-Henry Jolley, Travis Nicholson, and John Jolley.

Honorary pallbearers are the Masons.

Memorials may be made to the Murvaul UMC, 3346 FM 10, Carthage, TX 75633.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.