John W. Nicholas; Retired Engineer
John W. Nicholas, a 24-year Ojai resident, died Wednesday of cancer. He was 75.
Nicholas was born May 15, 1921, in Grand Junction, Colo. He served in the Navy from 1940 to 1946, including a stint on the USS Memphis.
A retired field service engineer, he worked for Grumman Aircraft for 36 years. He served two one-year tours in Vietnam with the company and retired from the company’s Point Mugu facility in 1983.
Nicholas was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Kingsville, Texas, before moving to Ojai, where he attended Ojai Methodist Church.
“He was always there for the family,” said his son, Jay Nicholas of Ojai, who fondly remembers going on fishing trips with his father.
Other survivors include daughter Beth Gwazdosky of Kingman, Ariz., and three grandchildren.
Visitation is scheduled at Clausen Funeral Home in Ojai beginning at 3 p.m. Saturday. A memorial service will follow at 4 p.m., with the Rev. Peter Whitelock officiating. Interment will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Green Acres Cemetery in Scottsdale, Ariz.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.
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