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Donnie Lambert Nicholson

How do you define a lifetime? If you look at the simple definition, it is defined as the duration of one’s existence or usefulness. Many would say a lifetime encompasses one’s accomplishments or the places they have visited and seen. But as Donnie’s family, we would say a lifetime is defined as the countless number of people he loved and the impact he had on those around him. In his almost 71 years of life, the outpouring from our relatives, friends, and community has been simply nothing short of amazing and a true picture of the wonderful man that we knew as hun, daddy, and pa.

Growing up in Molino, his parents Rufus and Bertie Nicholson owned a cash house. If you are unaware of what a cash house is, it is like a general store. And in a time where Walmart or Dollar General did not exist, it is where you bought the things that you could not grow or make yourself. The cash house was in Old Molino and in that store, Donnie would grow up learning some of the most valuable lessons in life. He was expected to work hard, treat people with kindness, and it was where he was taught the true meaning of integrity. From the stories his mother and friends told, he could be mean as a rattlesnake but would also turn around and give you the shirt off his back.

He attended Tate High School where he played baseball and also met the love of his life, Jackie. Graduating in 1968, Donnie left for Tennessee attending tech school to become a certified diesel mechanic. On Friday afternoons, Donnie would leave his last class to make the long drive back to Molino to see Jackie. After completing his certification and Jackie graduating high school, they were married August 29, 1969, at Aldersgate United Methodist Church. This month would have been their 52nd wedding anniversary.

Some may not know, but Donnie served in the U.S. Army. He was drafted in 1970 and stationed in Ft. Lee, Virginia. In 1972, his father passed away and being the only son in his family, he was honorably discharged of his duties after serving almost two years. After the Army, Donnie continued his professional journey working for various contractors until he was hired on with Flor-Daniels. At Flor-Daniels he was certified a welder/pipe fitter and worked for
them for 20 years. He was later hired at International Paper. Donnie would continue working at International Paper for 18 more years and retired in 2012.

Over the years, Donnie did some pretty amazing things. He and Jackie had two daughters, Charlene and Amanda. They were blessed with three grandchildren, Austin, Jared, and Violet and one great grandchild, Hazel. Donnie loved his community and he loved people. He attended Aldersgate United Methodist Church where if you were a member or just visiting, you would have met or heard Donnie when you entered the front doors. He greeted everyone with a smile and a big HEY! When he was younger, Donnie served as a firefighter for the Molino Volunteer Fire Department and later became captain for many years. He was an avid field trailsman for the Northwest Florida Pointer and Setter Club and served on the board. He loved to hunt and fish, and there wasn’t much that he did not hunt. Trips to Saint Vincent’s Island to hunt deer or quail hunting in Texas with Uncle Jamie, he was always on the go. The same was for fishing, though he loved his freshwater fishing best. He taught his grandsons how to hunt and fish and loved to go with them every chance he could.

Over thirty years ago, Donnie and Jackie asked their daughter Amanda if she wanted to play ball and she said yes. No one knew how that moment would shape the future of softball for so many in our community. And from that moment on, Donnie started coaching. With his passion for the game, love for his family, and dedication to the community, Donnie would go on to coach many girls and many different teams. He dedicated his time to those that wanted to play.

If you needed extra help, he would say meet me at the ballpark. If you needed to know where Donnie was, you could check the Tom Thumb getting coffee for him and Jackie or check at the ballpark. He volunteered his time wherever it was needed, especially when it came to softball. From helping other coaches, ball parents, and even the high school players and their coaches, to simply going to watch one of his previous players at their college game, he chased his passion. He followed the careers of his softball girls, attended their games, even recruited for his next season team while attending those games, all the while doing what he loved.

These words only give you a sample of Donnie’s lifetime and glimmer of the how many people that crossed his path. A true testament to the man we loved is receiving the outpouring of love from our community and family. We have been blessed as a family to call him husband, dad, and pa, but even more blessed that we could share our wonderful person with the sport he loved the most and the people that loved it with him.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of Donnie’s passions:

Molino Ball Park – Girl’s Softball
Aldersgate United Methodist Church

Services and important information:

Ball Practice (Viewing)
Friday – August 20
5-7 p.m. Faith Chapel North

Game Day (Service)
Field – Aldersgate Cemetery, behind Highland Baptist Church
Saturday – August 21 10 a.m.

The family requests that all precautions be taken for COVID and wearing a mask are required. This horrible disease took a great man. We want you and our family safe. For those attending graveside, please come dressed cool and comfortably. Coach Donnie was always casual and the weather will be hot.