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‘Our Community And Hearts Are Broken Today” — Molino Softball Coach Donnie Nicholson Passes Away
August 16, 2021
The North Escambia community is mourning the loss of another youth coach to COVID-19.
Longtime Molino Ballpark softball coach Donnie Nicholson passed away on Sunday. Coach Donnie and his wife Jackie were an integral part of softball at the Molino Ballpark and area travel ball for many years.
“Our community and hearts are broken today. Coach Donnie Nicholson has been called up to the big leagues. We can’t even tell you the number of lives touched by this great coach,” Molino Ballpark posted in announcing his passing.
Funeral services have not yet been released.
Tributes to Coach Donnie Nicholson filled social media Sunday. Here are just a few:
“Donnie was a character he never met a stranger either he was a wonderful man.”
“Coach Donnie will be missed! Softball won’t be the same!”
“Heartbroken, we will never forget this man and his lifelong devotion to softball.”
“‘Hey Girl!”! I can hear his Coach Voice now. He could never just drop in a store or concession stand without being heard then surrounded by so many who just liked being around him. Legend for sure.”
“Molino Ballpark will never be the same! Thank you for the life lessons and great memories.”
“My heart hurts today. Coach Donnie Nicholson was not only a one of a kind coach, but a one of a kind man as well. He believed in people with his whole heart and I am so lucky to have been one of his ballplayers. You will forever be missed coach Donnie, and softball lost its biggest fan.”
“You were someone who has made an impact on so many athletes and you spread your love for the game to all of us! ”
“There is a huge softball game going on right now in Heaven. They gained an amazing coach and man up there.”
Last week, Northwest Escambia (NWE) Chiefs Football and Cheer president and coach Greg Gibson passed away due to COVID-19.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Comments
30 Responses to “‘Our Community And Hearts Are Broken Today” — Molino Softball Coach Donnie Nicholson Passes Away”
we will miss you coach. I loved playing on your team every time we got yhe chance. he would do anything for us girls. taught us everything we know about the game now. it hurts to know he’s gone but he’s up there coaching and doing what he loves, catching up with family and friends. you will be missed.
Now, all of you must pick up Donnie’s legacy. Don’t let it be for naught!
Donnie was a good friend of mine he came to my house ever morning to drink coffee and to keep up to date on all the news in molino I will miss Donnie very much he was one of the best friends I ever had Jackie and children I will be praying for you love you very much.
Coach Donnie taught me how to coach those girls. Hey boy you can’t be so hard on the girls they will quit on ease into them with the coaching, keep them smiling and laughing and they will play hard for you always. My 2 daughters and my niece had the privilege to learn from the best. Come on girls” y’all gotta make it happen we can’t do it for you and they always did make it happen. I loved just being in his presence. Donnie knew me from the time I entered this world 43yrs. Lots of great memories with this wonderful man and many life lessons learned. Fly high you gracious soul tell grandma and grandpa hello coach those Angels and teach them the proper way I know you will. If you don’t know what a flip change is you were at the wrong park. I will forever miss you. Mrs. Jackie you can call on me anytime for anything. Prayers for all touched by this LEGEND.
Awright! Awright! Awright! Can hear him saying that as he stepped into heaven! Our family loved doing softball with Coach Donnie and Jackie. No doubt you have already heard your “well done”. We all learned softball and life lessons from you.
Grew up with Donnie , walked countless miles behind some of the best and some not so much bird dogs , fished and bow hunted , when you get two stubborn, hard headed people together it is a formula for some of most unbelievable funny , wait a minute and great memories in my life. As I read all the testimonials to this incredible man I think God for having him in my life ,
I’m am absolutely heartbroken over this news. Mr. Nicholson was such a wonderful man. He and Ms. Jackie were a part of my life from the age of five until I left home at 18. I remember when I came home from Basic Training, they were so happy to see me and so proud of me. Tears fill my eyes as I write this. You will be forever remembered and forever loved, Mr Donnie.
Donnie you are missed by many i will remember you by the hard work as a coworker @ international paper . And most of all fishing together on the river so long until we meet again buddy.
I worked with Donnie for many years at international paper co. very hard worker and good friend,may god bless his family. You will be missed.
Coach Donnie was a character who had a huge impact on softball in northwest Florida. Our daughter would play tournaments from time to time on his travel teams. His wife, Jackie, is a sweet soul who was just as dedicated to the girls as Donny. She sometimes could be seen wiping tears away from players and giving Coach Donny a “talk” when he was too tough for her comfort. They were a perfect ballpark pair and no matter where the girls played in the surrounding parks, they all knew and loved Coach Donny. He was larger than life. I haven’t seen them since our daughter went off to college (and college softball) in 2008, but I will never forget his voice and his love for the game.
Jackie and family,
Love and prayers to each of you. Donnie touched so many young lady lives as well as many others. He’ll live on in our hearts.
Love,
Janie and Mike
I am so sorry to hear of this. My two boys stayed at Donnie and Jackie’s house after school for several years. My deepest sympathy to Miss Jackie and the family on this heart-wrenching loss.
A very fine man that I had the privilage and honor to work, and caoch along side. He will be greatly missed in the community. My prayers are with his family. ALL RIGHT! ALL RIGHT!
Donnie, sure will miss you…always enjoyed our conversations and will miss seeing you around Molino.
Howard
Coach Donnie was always such an amazing person! He is the reason I became who I am today. His coaching didn’t stop the minute you walked off the field. I will forever remember the way he said “Hey girl, how you doing today?”. Rest Easy Coach, we got the field from here!
Mr. DONNIE WAS A MAN THAT I LOVED TO HEAR ENTER A ROOM .
HE HAD A VOICE LIKE NO OTHER
HE WAS KIND AND ALWAYS HAD A SMILE AND A HUG FOR YOU .
HE WILL BE MISSED
RIP AND PRAYERS FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS THAT LOVED HIM
I’m going to miss him on Sunday morning!! He was one of the church three amigos (Donnie,George,and Steve) you could expect to greet you. I can hear him calling out the names of our members each morning as they entered the church building!! I will truly be miss the hand shakes/hand bump and his smiling face on Sunday!!
This is heartbreaking! Donnie was a wonderful man and always trying to get a laugh out of anyone! Ms. Jackie you and the family are in my prayers!
Molino will never be the same without Donnie. He was at the church door every Sunday with a welcoming handshake and his, “Hey boy!!!” Im sure gonna miss him. He was for sure a one of a kind person who loved everyone and left his footprint on many people. He never had a bad thing to say about anyone and loved everyone. Especially his team at The ball park. Fly High Donnie and enjoy Heaven. You earned it. You will def be missed.
I’ve known Donnie all my life. Loved being in his company because of the happiness he spread…he was sunshine everywhere he went. A great man in every way. He will be truly missed by the Molino Community. Never heard a negative word about him from anyone.
RIP, Coach I will always remember your laugh. I knew when you would walk into a room. You are a very special person. God Bless the family, God will take care of him.
Sounds like the softball field or one of the fields should be named after him.
So sorry for your loss. Great friend to so many people. He & Jackie has been a friend to our family, the Carnleys, all of our life. We knew when Donnie came into the building! He did not come in quietly! He had friends everywhere and everyone generally felt better after visiting with Donnie. HE WILL BE MISSED!
Coach Donnie was one of the best people you would ever have the privilege of knowing. He was a great coach and has touched the lives of countless kids throughout his life. My family and I are deeply saddened at the loss of this great man. He had an unwavering love for all of his girls and wanted nothing more than to see them have every opportunity to succeed on and off the field. I’m so proud that I have two girls that had the opportunity to play for him. He will be deeply missed. Mrs. Jackie, you have the love and prayers of an entire community. We are so sorry for your loss. We love you.
Aw man, I’m so sorry to hear this. My thoughts and prayers are with the Nicolson family.
One of the kindest people I’ve ever met .. He was the salt of the earth . Fly high buddy you’ll be dearly missed
Greatest coach ever help me with my teams, we coached together I learned so much, always a great person no matter what , hopefully they name a park or a field after him.
Another wonderful i c o n of our community has left the playing field. Donnie was loved by so many and will be remembered from the great friendships he created over many many years. RIP brother.
Coach Donnie was more than a just a coach to me, he was family. From playing on the field with him as my coach, to then standing on the field next to him as another coach, words can’t explain how much he changed my life. He was such a special person that always brought a smile to my face and filled my heart with happiness. I would give anything to hear him say “there’s my Ronni” one more time. Heaven gained one of the best angels and we all have the best coach rooting for all of us down here. You’ll be missed more than words can explain Coach Donnie.
Donnie was a regular customer of ours at Jimmy’s. Whenever he would come or pay his bill he always asked “Where you at?” And I would give him an offbeat answer. He lived his Sweet Potato pancakes and his atomic red hots. He will be missed greatly. Play ball Donnie.