(Howard) Terry Nicholson was born August 14, 1941, in a small four-room house on what is now known as Poe Lane off Coburn’s Fork Road near Jarvisville, West Virginia. His parents, Howard and Ethel, taught him their values of hard work, education, and service to others. He grew up in rural West Virginia running the hills, creeks and step mines with the five Lowe boys. It was a boy’s iconic dream. Terry graduated from Bristol High School in 1959 where he was a star basketball player. He married Bonnie Ritter in 1960 and graduated from West Virginia University in 1964 with an Agricultural Science degree. Together with Bonnie, he raised 3 children after moving to Wooster, Ohio that same year.
Terry’s long career in agriculture started at the dairy barn at the OARDC in Wooster, progressed to the Gotfredson ranch in Michigan before he moved back to Wooster to run a successful Holstein herd at the Logil Farm west of Wooster. After 33 years in the dairy business, Terry transitioned to work for the Wayne County Soil and Water Conservation District and retired in 2020 from the USDA/FA as a District Director after 33 years of service. Terry was a founding member of the “Old Dairymen’s Association” a group of friends that meet for breakfast on Saturdays, and have all been involved in farming in one way or another in Wayne, Holmes or Ashland County. Terry is probably best known for the lasting relationships he has built with the people he has come in contact with throughout his life. Whether in the workplace, business arena, casual encounter or family relations, Terry created bonds that lasted his whole life.
Terry and Bonnie were married for 46 years and fought a 15-year battle with kidney disease until Bonnie passed away in 2006. Terry met and fell in love with Cathy (Hochstetler) in 2010 and were married in 2022. Dad described Cathy as “my partner in love, in life and in business. Hard working, smart and the glue that holds us together. She has taken me places I never been and would have never gone.”
Survived by his wife Cathy Nicholson of Wooster, daughter Terri Lynn (Rich) Brosseau of Wooster, son Howard Timothy (Robyn) Nicholson of Dallas, Texas, and son Andrew Mark Nicholson of Wooster, and two stepchildren Rachael (Rich) Fishburn and Jon (Jill) Hochstetler of Wooster. Terry had 13 grandchildren and one great granddaughter all of which he loved dearly.
Terry was proceeded in death by his parents, wife Bonnie Nicholson, sister Elaine (Spera) and brother Phillip Nicholson.
Terry was a loved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend and will be sorely missed by all.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, December 3, 2022 at 3:00 PM at Wooster United Methodist Church, 243 N. Market St., Wooster, OH with Greg and Jon Rumberg officiating.
Family and friends will be received 2 hours prior to the service at the church.
Memorial contributions may be made to Wooster Youth Instructional Football, 1724 Beall Ave., Wooster, OH 44691
McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster is assisting the family.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com
Terry was one of the sweetest people I have known. He was always willing to help anyone that needed him ❤️❤️
Terry & Bonnie were like another set of parents to me growing up. They treated me like one of their kids, & sometimes I was at the house so much, it probably seemed like it. They both were a great influence in my life! Terry will be missed!
Terry and Bonnie were good friends from the time we met them in Michigan in 1969 and will be sorely missed. May wonderful memories of a life well lived give comfort to his family.
TL, sorry for your loss.. You and Rich are in my prayers and thoughts.
We knew Terry through Tim Nicholson, who is married to our daughter, Robyn. He was a wonderful man! We enjoyed the times we saw him and admired his adventurous spirit. The world is a lesser place without him. Our prayers and thoughts are with his family.
Terry Lynn and Family you are in my thoughts. I’m so sorry for your loss.
Terri Lynn, Rich and families, You are in my prayers and my heart goes out to you. Love you, Dean & Cindy Gregory
Teri, Tim, and Andy,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all on the passing of your dad. He was a great guy that had a huge impact on Cy. Cy and I both have many wonderful memories of good times with Terry, and with your whole family, while you were living on Logil Farm.
With great sadness, we will not be able to attend the memorial service. Cy tested positive for Covid last Saturday, and I tested positive yesterday.
We will be thinking of you all.
Rest in Peace Terry,
Love,
Cy and Sharon Baker
Terry and I had a long professional relationship with ASCs and FSA. He was always dedicated to his family and work ethics. May he RIP.
My wife and I are so saddened to hear of Terry’s passing. It was a joy to meet him in September. While my time actually knowing him was too short, I am a better person for it. He was my connection to my Dad John. Terry obviously served many while he walked this earth and I know that, even in his passing, he will continue to serve us all. He was a mountaineer even has he walks that final country road…
Warmest sympathy and hope for his new body in Christ
Kathy and Phil Nicholson
My thoughts & prayers are with Terri Lynn, Tim & Andy and their families. Many wonderful memories—Ed helping Terry in the fields (enjoying every minute—friends since high school)—and me helping Bonnie prepare for the many parties & gettogethers over many years. We were very happy & grateful that many of their friends became our friends too. Also, my sympathy goes out to Cathy & her family—I am sure Terry will be missed. My heart goes out to everyone—God be with you all.
Dear Cathy,
Steve & I are sending you healing prayers and comforting hugs. I know I can’t take your pain away but just know that I’m here with a shoulder, an ear or anything else that you may need.
Terry was a kindhearted, good man and what a remarkable life he had. We are soo grateful to be able to call him our friend. We will forever miss him, his inciteful stories & provoking thoughts on the world as we know it.
Praying for peace and comfort for you and the whole family. Love you!
Lori & Steve Riddick
To read Terry’s obituary brings back memories of long ago when as part of the Nicholson family we were well acquainted.
I am sorry to read of his passing and send condolences to all his loved ones.
Dear Tim, Andy, Terri Lynn… So sorry to hear the news of your dad’s passing. In the 80’s, your parents adopted 9 Bontrager boys and he will always be a part of our family.
Mary and I are sending prayers to you all and to Cathy.
With love, Peter and Mary Hurwitz
Cathy and Family, I am so very sorry for your great loss. I am here for anything you need. Prayers & Hugs
Our condolences to the family. We wish we could be at the service on Saturday but we are out of state. Everyone will be in our prayers.
With Love,
Mike and Jackie Kunkler and Family❤️❤️
Prayers to your family Cathy, Heaven has gained a great Angel with a great smile and heart
Dear Terri Lynn, Tim and Andy,
I am so sad to hear about your dad’s passing. I feel fortunate that I was able to give him a hug when I saw him in July.
Your family means a lot to our family. I have such vivid and great memories of gathering in your kitchen, picking out and taking home barn kittens, your parents picking me up to watch Wooster High School Girls Basketball games…I feel very lucky.
Hopefully, your dad and my dad are resuming their breakfast gatherings and saving seats for each other at basketball games.
My deepest sympathy to Terry’s family. Have known Terry from the time he and Bonnie started farming on their own in Wooster. What a friendly man and one who cared for others. Many fond memories,and I feel fortunate to have known him.
Cathy and family:
We are thinking of you all during this difficult time. Terry was always warm and friendly with a welcoming smile. We enjoyed watching him interact with the grandkids at the Fishburn’s and listening to his comments on life experiences. He was such a kind man and a good listener.
We are so sorry for your loss. Terry was a great man, who had a positive influence on many people including our family.
John really enjoyed spending time with him on group backpacking trips in New Mexico, and during Terry’s visits with Tim’s family in Texas. He really cherished Terry’s practical sage advice.
You are all in our prayers,
John and Lorrie Shinol
Uncle Terry was a wonderful man. He is in heaven now with Grandma, Grandpa, Mom, Uncle Phil and Aunt Bonnie watching over all of us. Always remember the good times and how much he loved you. Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.
With love,
Cathie, Jake and Luke
My deepest sympathy to the family. Terry was a good neighbor. Sincerely, Roger Feather
Teri Lynn, Tim and Andy, my sympathies to you and your families. Your dad was a good friend, a good neighbor and a good cow man. I am sorry for your loss.
Terry and I worked many years at USDA/FSA. Talking to him professionally and personally was always easy. He never failed to give me a warm and favorable acknowledgement and recognition at many USDA functions. Not sure I deserved it but, it was always appreciated. He also gave me good incites and advice, sometimes saving me a lot of troubles. A true friend and coworker. We should all try to follow his example. – John Gaynor, Wauseon OH