Charles Leigh Nickerson, 82, of Seven Lakes passed away suddenly on October 28, 2023. He was born on September 14, 1941 in Presque Isle, ME, the son of Ralph L. Nickerson and Audrey (Smith) Nickerson Lannigan.
He graduated from Presque Isle High School in 1960 and later attended the University of Maryland, European Campus.
Following graduation from high school, he served 20 years in the USAF as a Communications Operations Officer, retiring as a Technical Sergeant in 1980. His decorations include: Joint Service Commendation Medal with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Force Commendation Medal with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Good Conduct Medal with Silver Oak Leaf Cluster, National Defense Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam – Gallantry Cross with Palm, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with four Campaign Stars. Other awards were: Outstanding Unit Award with V “Valor” Device and three Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters; Overseas Ribbon – Short Ribbon with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Overseas Ribbon – Long Tour with Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Force Longevity Ribbon with four Oak Leaf Clusters, USAF NCE PME Graduate Ribbon, and Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon.
Known to co-workers as “Nick,” his tours of duty included San Antonio, Texas; Northeast Cape Air Force Station on St. Lawrence Island, Alaska; 1989th Communications Group at Torrejon Air Base, at Madrid, Spain; 6917th Security Group at McGuire AB in New Jersey; 6924th SS at Da Nang Air Base, Vietnam; 6916th Security Squadron at Rhein-Main Air Base, Germany; National Security Agency (NSA) at Fort Meade, MD; at the 1st Airborne Communication and Control Squadron flying on the National Emergency Airborne Command Post, at Andrews Air Force Base, MD; 6916th Electronic Security Squadron at Hellenikon Air Base, Athens, Greece; and the Defense Intelligence Agency at the Pentagon in Washington, DC. After retiring from the USAF, he continued serving as a Telecommunications Officer at the National Security Agency, for another 13 years before retirement in 1993.
He is survived by his wife, Cherryl (Buck) Nickerson of Seven Lakes, NC; a son, Randy Nickerson and his wife, Disa, of Anchorage, AK; a daughter, Deborah Fowler and her husband, James, of Potomac, MD; a grand-daughter, Cherryl Salzman and her husband, Brock, of Las Vegas, NV; two grandsons, Patrick Fowler and wife, Amy, of Silver Spring, MD and William Fowler of New York, NY, and two great grand-daughters, Ava and Lily Salzman of Las Vegas, NV. Charles leaves a sister, Paula Fugal and brother-in-law, Dale, of Chiefland, FL; and a brother, Myron, of Florida. He was predeceased by his parents and by a brother, Edwin Nickerson, of Presque Isle, ME.
His passions included gardening, sports, and service to community, along with his wife, Cherryl, and traveling to interesting places. They especially enjoyed traveling while stationed in Europe and subsequently enjoyed a trip to the Holyland.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, November 3, 2023 at 1:00 PM at the Village Chapel in Pinehurst. Following the service, Charles will be interred at Seven Lakes Cemetery in a family service with military honors.
A livestream of the services will be available on the tribute wall of his obituary at www.bolesfuneralhome.com
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the 6924th Heritage Association, 1315 Belclaire, San Antonio, TX 78258, marked for the “PWA Scholarship Fund” to support ROTC scholarships at the University of North Carolina, Charlotte.
Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at: bolesfuneralhome.com.
Services entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Seven Lakes.
