Ronald "Ron" Nicholson
Ronald "Ron" Nicholson, age 80, of Summerville, Georgia, passed away Thursday, June 22, 2023, in a Rome hospital.
Born in Atlanta, Ga. on March 31, 1943, he was a son of the late Robert and Shirley Hickman Nicholson. He was graduated from Trion High School in 1961, where he was the first band drum major for the Trion High Band. After graduation, he enlisted in the U. S. Navy and attended the Naval Conservatory of Music in Washington, D.C. After successfully completing his music studies, he was selected for the Admiral’s Tours in Central and South America. Due to the Cuban Missile crisis he was temporarily assigned to man the USS Canaberra, off the coast of Miami, 90 miles from Cuba.
After being honorably discharged, Ron returned to Rome, Ga., where he was the co-founder of The Gospel Brass. They traveled extensively, headlining with many famous gospel groups. After making many albums, they were regularly on Pat Robertson’s PTL 700 Club. He received a standing ovation, at the Grand Ole Opry, for his saxophone solo of How Great Thou Art.
Most of Ron’s adult life was spent as a successful grand piano salesman for Yamaha Piano of California. He was well known in the industry, winning many awards, including trips to Italy, Hong Kong, China, New York, and California. After 43 years, Ron retired, in 2016, moving from Sarasota, Fl. to Summerville, Ga., with his wife, Jimmie Ann.
He was Methodist by faith and deeply loved his wife, children and family.
In addition to parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Victoria Lynn Tudor; grandparents, Henry and Eulalee Hickman; and brother-in-law, Bill Pierce.
Surviving are his wife, Jimmie Ann Bennett Nicholson; daughter, Angie R. Belsoe; sons, Ronald Adam Nicholson and Ronald Allen (Rusty) Nicholson, Jr.; sisters and brother-in-law, Patricia Nicholson Pierce and Frances Nicholson Pence (Frank); many grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Funeral service will be held Sunday, June 25, at 2:30 p.m. from graveside in Greenhills Memory Garden with Kathy Worley officiating. Active pallbearers will be John Riley, Jimmy Riley, David Pence, Bob Wesson, Britt Carpenter and Cody Young. Honorary pallbearer is Nickolas Young.
The family will receive friends Sunday from 1-2:30 p.m. at Earle Rainwater Funeral Home.
Earle Rainwater Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.