Robert "R.S." Sylvester Nicholson

MEMORIAL SERVICE: SATURDAY,JANUARY 26, 20131:00 P.M.DIXON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHINTERMENT: MORROW CEMETERY  Robert Sylvester Nicholson went peacefully to the waiting arms of his Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, on Wednesday, January 2, 2013 at 9:22 am at Valley Medical Center in San Jose, California. He was surrounded by family and his pastor. He succumbed to a heroic and quick battle with cancer. He was born the first of two sons of Oren Leroy (Roy) and Mamie Lucille (Parker) Nicholson in Philadelphia, Mississippi on Friday, December 13, 1935. Robert attended schools in Neshoba County and graduated from Dixon High School. He was in the Air Force ROTC and earned a B.S. degree in Engineering from Mississippi State University in 1958. His working career in Ohio, Colorado and California included time with the Air Force and several engineering firms. Robert was well-liked and known for his positive attitude and good humor. He excelled at being able to fix anything and to drop everything to run to the aid of a family member, friend or stranger in need. He will be fondly remembered for his storytelling abilities, famous homemade breakfasts, stained overalls and summer cross-country road trips to Mississippi. He enjoyed being active in his church including driving the church bus, ushering, attending church camps, and cheerfully volunteering where ever needed.Robert is survived by his wife, Maria Teresa (Maritess) of 17 years and his brother Roy (R.L.) and sister-in-law, Anne, of Byron, Georgia. He is also survived by his children: daughters Marsha of Wichita, Kansas; Susan of Denver, Colorado; April and Anna of San Jose, California; and Lynda and son-in-law Jonathan Kelley of Springville, Utah; and sons David and Mark of San Jose, and Steve and daughter-in-law Teresa of Santa Maria, California. Robert is also fortunate to have grandchildren Jason Kimlinger, Amy Sharp, Whitney Calderon, Sierra Bransford, Stefani Mandrigues, Melissa Ostrander, Cynthia, Christian, Alexandria and Parker as well as great-grandchildren Andraleia Kimlinger, Camden Sharp, and John Paul Calderon as survivors.He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Donna, and his great-granddaughter, Mikhaya Kimlinger. Memorial services to celebrate Robert's life will be held in both California and Mississippi.  The California service will be held at at Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church where he was a member for over 33 years, on Saturday, January 19, 2013 at 2:30 p.m. followed by a reception in the Fellowship Hall.  The Mississippi service will be held at Dixon Presbyterian Church, which he helped in construction as a teenager, on Saturday, January 26, 2013 at 1:00 p. m. followed by a graveside military service at Morrow Cemetery and then a reception back at the church. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718; www.cancer.org, or 1.800.227.2345.