Obituary of Joseph Earl Nicholson

Joseph Earl Nicholson went to be with his Heavenly Father on his 56th birthday, August 3rd, 2024.  Joe was born in Fort Walton Beach, Florida on August 3rd, 1968 to Lee Roy and Judy Nicholson.  Joe and his wife, Keeta started their wonderful journey together 33 years ago.  He was her best friend, protector, confidante.  In short he was her everything. 

 It is so hard to put into words the kind of man Joe was. He was hard working, honest and loving just to name a few. He was dedicated to his wife and family.  Joe was loved and respected by so many people in his walk of life. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle and friend to so many. He worked hard everyday to make sure his family wanted for nothing. Joe and his loving wife Keeta spent 33 wonderful years together. The love between Keeta and Joe was a love that ran so deep for one another it could never be measured by any space or time. They were everything two people could ever be to one another. Keeta misses him every single second of every single day. He was a very loving son to his mother Judy. Visiting her often just to sit and talk about old times. Judy will hold the memories of her son and their story filled visits in her heart forever. He was the best uncle to his nieces Kimberly, Christine and Brittany and his nephew Nick, who Joe and Keeta welcomed into their home. Nick was raised by Joe and Keeta for the next ten years. Joe had a love of racing. On most Saturdays you would find him and his son, Joseph, who was his best friend and racing partner, at either the mud races or dirt track. Joe loved to play in the mud and drive as fast as he could in his mud truck that he rightly called “Unleashed." He enjoyed his family coming out to watch him and Joseph race. He especially loved when his grandchildren came along with him and Joseph. Cheering them both on from start to finish. His grandchildren brought him so much love and happiness. You could see it all over his face when he was with them. Pure joy. He had a smile that reached into his eyes. And his laugh was so infectious you couldn’t help but laugh with him. In closing his children Amy,Kelly, and Joseph said it best about their father when they wrote these words in his memory. It was an honor and privilege to be your children and to call you our dad. It was grounding and humbling to see how hard you worked everyday to take care of your family. Working hard with the unwavering dedication, love and need in your heart to take care of all of us. It was so inspiring to witness you accomplish everything you set your mind to. Wether the job be big or small. You never wavered from the job at hand. It is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to you. You will be missed everyday. Dad we will love and cherish you and your memory forever. With all of our love Amy, Kelly and Joseph

Joe is preceded in death by his father, Lee Roy Nicholson; brother, Donald Eugene Nicholson; grandaughter, Marissah Lanae Wallace.  He is survived by his mother, Judith Mary Oglesby Nicholson; wife, Keeta Marie Nicholson; sister, Wendy Sue Nicholson; daughter and son-in-law, Amy and Derek Griese; daughter and son-in-law, Kelly and Joey DeRouin; son, Joseph Earl Nicholson; grandchildren, Abbigail, Ashton, Raelynn, Millyon, Delilah, Josiah, and Elijah; many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Joe impacted so many life's and he will be missed by so many of his family and friends.  We love you Joe.

All family and friends are invited to Joe's Celebration of life.  September 7th, 2024 from 11am to 4pm at Marler Park on Okaloosa Island.





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