Robert Nicholson, Sr.

Opelousas Funeral services for Mr. Robert Bobby Joseph Nicholson, Sr., age 84, will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, December 2, 2011, with a Mass of Christian Burial in the St. Landry Catholic Church in Opelousas. Interment will follow in the Cedar Hill Cemetery in Washington, LA. Father James Brady will celebrate the Mass.
Mr. Bobby was a native of Washington and a resident of Opelousas. He died on Sunday, November 27, 2011, at Opelousas General Health System.
Mr. Bobby was a U. S. Army Veteran who proudly served his country during World War II.
He graduated from AIC in 1944 and SLI ULL in 1950. Early in his career, he was a school teacher. He was part owner in the family lumber yard, and was owner of a real estate and income tax business. He served on the St. Landry Parish Police Jury for 12 years. He was also a longtime cattleman and did farming as a pastime. He enjoyed traveling, was a pilot who loved to fly, and was an avid scuba diver. He enjoyed spending time with his family. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends.
He was a member and longtime usher of St. Landry Catholic Church. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus Council, Opelousas Elks Lodge for 57 years, LA Cattlemans Association, Kiwanis, Honor Air Group, and American Legion Post 45. He was the one of the founders of the LATX BiState Fishing Rodeo. He built and raced power boats and attended many LSU football games.
He is survived by three sons, Dr. Robert Bob Joseph Nicholson, Jr. and wife, Yvette of Baton Rouge Sidney Joe Joseph Nicholson and wife, Julia StanfordNicholson of Opelousas and Vincent Gantt Nicholson and wife, Mary of Lafayette two daughters: Mary Alice Nicholson Hale and husband, Jerry of Gastonia, NC and Marguerite Suzanne Nicholson Shows of Columbia, MS mother of his children, Mary Ann Rozas Nicholson of Opelousas grandchildren: Julie, Robert, Brandon, and Amelie Nicholson of Baton Rouge Dylan Nicholson of New Orleans Van Nicholson of Lafayette Sidney and Samuel Nicholson of Opelousas Lily Stanford of New Orleans Gantt Nicholson of Springfield, IL Alice Wack Stout and husband, Wendel of Baton Rouge Vincent Wack of Sunset and Edward Shows of Columbia, MS special granddaughter, Olivia Dejean of Baton Rouge and 31 nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Gantt Francis Pape Nicholson and Sarah Elizabeth Muller Nicholson two infant children, David and Catherine Nicholson and siblings: Gantt Nicholson, Jr., Miriam Lyman, Marguerite Scoggins, Muriel Morrison, Mercedes Dejean, and James Nicholson.
Honorary Pallbearers will be his grandsons.
The family is requesting visiting hours be observed in the Sibille Funeral Home of Opelousas on Thursday, December 1, 2011, from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. On Friday, the funeral home will reopen at 8 a.m. until the 10:00 a.m.
The American Legion Service will be held at 6:30 p.m. and the Rosary Service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Thursday evening in the funeral home. The Elks service will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Friday in the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, the Nicholson family is requesting that memorial donations be made to the rebuilding of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Washington, LA.
Words of comfort to the family may be expressed at www.sibillefuneralhomes.com. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Sibille Funeral Home of Opelousas.

Visitation

Sibille Funeral Home
2309 George Drive
Opelousas, LA  70570
Thursday, December 1, 2011
510 p.m.Fri. 810 a.m.

Service

Mass of Christian Burial

St. Landry Catholic Church
1020 North Main Street
Opelousas, LA  70570
Friday, December 2, 2011
10:30 a.m.

American Legion Service Rosary Service

Sibille Funeral Home Chapel
2309 George Drive
Opelousas, LA  70570
Thursday, December 1, 2011
6:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Elks Service

Sibille Funeral Home Chapel
2309 George Drive
Opelousas, LA  70570
Friday, December 2, 2011
9:00 a.m.

Cemetery

Cedar Hill Cemetery
Washington
Washington, LA  70589

Memorial Contributions

P. O. BOX 116
Washington, LA  70589