Randall Nicholson

Randall Ray Nicholson was born at home in Allen, Texas on March 24, 1938 to parents Leo Ray and Edna Earl Leach Nicholson. He was the eldest of four boys. Randall attended Plano schools and graduated from Plano Senior High School where he played tuba in the band, played football and won honors for best actor in both the junior and senior play. While in school Randall met Zada Beth McCreary and the two dated off and on between Zada's sophomore and senior year. During an "off time" of dating, Zada shot a few spit wads at Randall while he was driving her school bus. That was it; he knew one day she would be his wife. The two were engaged around Christmas time her senior year. They married one month after she graduated from high school and enjoyed over 56 years of wonderful married life together. Randall proudly served his country for a total of eight years in the National Guard. He was a part of the 49th Army Division of the National Guard and was sent to Fort Polk for active duty in 1961 for a period of nine months. A year after Randall and Zada married they were blessed with the birth of their first child Connie, then Lisa three years later, Beverly two years after Lisa and Kendall Ray two years later. The couple raised their children in Lucas Christian Church where Randall served as choir director, elder and bible study leader. Randall was employed by Western Electric which later became known as AT&T. He retired after 30 years of service. After retirement he went to work for the Pecan Water District that was later bought out by the City of Parker. Randall continued to work for a short while afterwards with the City Water Department. He volunteered his entire life with church maintenance, soccer coaching, VBS, Awanas, a leader of bible studies, mentor at Armstrong Middle School and also mentored several young men in the church. As Randall's father in law aged he began helping him around the farm. Randall experienced his first bout with cancer in 1997 and was cleared after surgery. In 2008, he was diagnosed with colon cancer and a year later learned it had metastasized to his liver and he fought cancer on and off for with chemo therapy over the last five years. Randall was instrumental in helping Rick and Melanie Allen open and operate Allen Family Funeral Options as their first company Ambassador. He also was responsible for creating and leading grief support groups for the funeral home as well as Plano Bible Chapel. Randall and Zada served as Care Family leaders and Randall was a Deacon of Plano Bible Chapel. Randall passed from this life into eternity peacefully while surrounded by his loving family on December 1, 2014. Randall is survived by his loving wife Zada Beth McCreary Nicholson, children Connie Nicholson Anderson (Mark), Lisa Nicholson McCrary (Dwayne), Beverly Nicholson Flynn (Darryl), Kendall Ray Nicholson (Julie Engelking), grandchildren Lindsay and Matthew Anderson, Bethany McCrary Stevenson (Austin), Joshua McCrary, Kara Flynn Fraga (Daniel), Kaylie Flynn, Kristopher Flynn, Kenna Flynn, Kyle Ray Nicholson (Lauren), Jolie Nicholson Booth (Brent), Kendra Nicholson, Great Grandson Broc Julius Stevenson, brothers Norman Nicholson (Trudy), Larry Nicholson (Rebie), sisters in law Martha Nicholson and Martha Joyce McCreary Moseley who always only knew Randall as a big brother, as well as many loving aunts uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by parents and brother Scotty Earl Nicholson. The family will receive friends at a visitation on Friday, December 5, 2014 from 6:30-8:30 PM at Plano Bible Chapel, 1900 Shiloh Rd., Plano, Texas 75074. Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 6, 2014 at 10:00 AM also at Plano Bible Chapel. Randall will be laid to rest at Ridgeview Memorial Park in Allen, Texas. The family respectfully requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made in Randall's name to Plano Bible Chapel. Randall had a strong faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and will leave a long lasting legacy. He will be fondly remembered by his many friends for his firm hand shake, warm smile and loving hugs.