Colonel Richard Craig Nickerson, USA (Ret.)

Craig Nickerson passed away peacefully at Mercy Medical Center in Canton, OH with his family by his side on June 25, 2016. He was 67 years old.

Craig was born in New London, CT on March 19, 1949 to Norval and Vernice Nickerson. He was the son of a Naval Officer so he grew up in many places. He attended Hingham High School in Massachusetts and graduated from Marietta College in Ohio in 1971. After college, he served in the United States Army for 31 years and was stationed throughout the United States. While serving in the Army, he earned his Special Forces (Green Beret) Tab, Ranger Tab, Expert Infantryman Badge, and Master Parachutist Badge. As a Special Forces Officer he was Scuba and Halo qualified. During a tour at Ft. Sam Houston, TX, he earned a Master's Degree from St. Mary's University in San Antonio, TX. He was honored to Command the 3d Battalion, 3d Special Forces Group (Airborne) Ft. Lewis, Washington (1990 – 1992). After Command, he earned a second Master's Degree from the National War College in Washington, D.C. After assignments in Washington D.C., he was assigned to Joint Task Force - Six (JTF North) at Ft. Bliss, TX which supports drug enforcement agencies. Craig's final assignment was the Chief of Staff of the Alaskan Army in Ft. Richardson, AK. He retired from the Army on October 31, 2002.

After retiring from the Army he worked as a Military Defense contractor from 2003 – 2010 in Afghanistan. His final contract was with L-3 Com as the Program Manager developing the Afghanistan Ministry of Defense. Upon his return from Afghanistan he became an adjunct professor at the College of Southern Maryland's Leonardtown Campus where he taught Political Science and U.S. History until May 2015.

As a 2nd Lt on his first tour of duty in Okinawa, he met his wife Patricia Elrod and they were married for 39 years. Craig and Patty were blessed with two sons, Jonathan Craig (Jon) of El Paso, TX and Richard Bradley (Brad) of North Canton, OH. Jon, Brad and Brad's wife Amanda (McVay) and Nellie (his dog who faithfully stood by his side at the time of his heart attack) were all thankful to have been with Craig in his final days. He was a wonderful Dad and Grandpa to his grandchildren Xochitl (Jon's daughter) and Reid (Brad's and Amanda's son). Craig will be greatly missed by his family who enjoyed his sense of humor and how he made our lives fun and adventurous.

Craig is preceded in death by his parents, Norval and Vernice Nickerson and his father-in-law Richard Elrod. He is survived by his wife, his sons and their families, mother-in-law Lola Elrod, his brother Steve Nickerson and wife Emily, his brother Wayne Nickerson, and brother-in-laws and wives Steve and Nancy Elrod, Rick and Gale Elrod, and Rob and Meredith Elrod and the many nieces and nephews.

Services will be Saturday July 9, 2016. Viewing from 9–11 AM followed by a funeral service at Arnold Funeral Home, 1517 Market Ave. N, Canton, OH 44714. On Friday July 22nd, a procession will form at Sunset funeral Home, 4631 Hondo Pass Dr., El Paso, TX 79904 to arrive promptly at Ft. Bliss National Cemetery for a 10 AM Service with Full Military Honors in El Paso, TX.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the charity of your choice in Memory of Richard Craig Nickerson.

Arnold 330-456-7291