Plummer A. Nicholson

Plummer Alston Nicholson, raised in eastern North Carolina, moved to the mountains in 1972 and found his home. His birth name created much confusion but to all who knew him, he was Nick. Nick died September 18, 2024.

Nick was born January 20, 1950 in Washington, NC to Charlotte and Plummer Nicholson, attended high school in “Little Washington”; played football, basketball, baseball, and loved reading. He graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill in 1972 with a degree in journalism. He took his new skills and headed to the mountains. His first job was sports and court reporter with The Mountaineer. He worked for the paper and was editor for the Canton Enterprise.

He became an educator and taught advanced English at Pisgah High School for 33 years. He was a dedicated, insightful teacher. The most frequent student comment was “amazing”. His mentorship included pranks like rolling toilet paper down the hall during a code red drill.

Nick is survived by his wife, Jane Medford Nicholson; sons, Blake Nicholson (Jek) and Zack Nicholson (Brookely); grandchildren, Paxton, Remi, and Nash Nicholson; and sister Blake Hodges. 

His mountain family includes the extended Nancy and Boyd Medford clan: Kathy Wyatt, Caroline and Mike Parrish, Julie, Tony, and Will Riva, Bo, Angie, Lucy, and Sara Medford, and Katherine, John, Alex, and Nancy Medford.

A circle of close friends Kathy and Cecil Yount, Cathy and Kevin Ray, Twila Medford, Debbie Crawford, Pam Tidwell, and Richard Babb. 

Nick adored Jane. He and Jane designed their home to include passive solar heating when it was not common. He celebrated life with Jane at every opportunity. Feasting at his home, Nick was in charge of the grill, yard care, table setup, and created the playlist for the evening.

Nick enjoyed traveling. There were numerous beach trips. He was the first one up in the morning and set up the sun shade and stocked the coolers. Nick hiked and fished at favorite sites in Cataloochee. He enjoyed, many United States travel expeditions to Northwest, Southwest, south Louisiana, Kentucky, Bourbon Trail, Montana, New England, and Brooklyn. All travel included stops at writers houses, baseball and basketball games.

Nick cherished literature. He shared his insights from William Shakespeare to James Lee Burke. He loved a good story whether it was book, a movie, or lyrics in a song.

Nick sported his lucky Tar Heel shirt and shared the games with Blake and Zack. He supported his sons in their high school basketball games and front yard pick up games. He had an amazing recall of players, coaches, games, and projections of wins.

He loved and enjoyed his grands, Remi, Pax, and Nash. Pops built a toy kitchen, read books, and shared brownies, ice cream and popsicles.

A private family burial will be held on Sunday, September 22, 2024. A celebration of a life well lived will be held at the Nicholson residence, 115 Jack Pine Drive, Waynesville, NC on Sunday, September 22, 2024 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Carpooling is encouraged.

In lieu of flowers, donation may be made to: Lewy Body Dementia Association, 912 Killian Hill Road SW, Lilburn, Georgia 30047. Ibda.org

“The dude abides”

The care of Mr. Nicholson has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville and an online memorial register is available at “Obituaries” at www.wellsfuneralhome.com