Charles (Charley) Franklin Nicholson was born January 12, 1937, in Muskogee, Oklahoma to Harold Franklin and Freddie Lahoma Nicholson.  He departed this life July 25, 2025, at the age of 88.

On July 22, 1960, Charley Nicholson and Sharon Scott were united in marriage.  From this union were born two daughters, Leisa and Teresa.

Charley accepted Christ at the young age of 6, at the Baptist Church in Wagoner, Oklahoma.  He was a long-time member and served as deacon at First Baptist Church of Bristow.

He was a 1955 graduate from Checotah High School.  He was a natural athlete competing in basketball, football, tennis, and was a member of a bowling league.

His parents being both teachers, plus his dad being a coach, noticed his abilities and signed him up for tennis tournaments around the state at a very young age.  Many times, sending him off on his own to tournaments. Charley even told stories of hitchhiking to Oklahoma City to make a tournament.  As a young boy he was ranked #1 in Oklahoma in the 15 and under tennis singles rankings.  He and his doubles partner were ranked #3 in the Midwest Doubles rankings. In 1955 he became an Oklahoma State Tennis Singles Champion.

He was awarded a basketball and tennis scholarship to Northeastern A & M in Miami, Oklahoma, where he played for one year.   He attended OSU in Stillwater for one year, and in 1957 transferred to Northeastern State University to play on the NSU tennis team. In 1960 he graduated from NSU with a Bachelor of Science in Education, with a minor in Science and Math.  Upon graduation, he began his teaching and coaching career at Edna, Kansas. Later teaching and coaching at Okay, Inola, and Porter Oklahoma, before making his way to teach and coach in Bristow, Oklahoma in the Fall of 1967.

He was hired to teach 9th grade Physical Science, be the Head Coach for the Boys Basketball team, and also be an assistant football coach.

In 1971, he juggled raising his girls, teaching and coaching to attend Central State University in Edmond, Oklahoma where he completed a Master Degree of Education.

In 1973, he was asked to begin the girls' basketball program, where he coached all grades (7th, 8th, 9th, JV and Varsity) and taught them to play 6 on 6 half court basketball.

Over the years in Bristow, he also taught many students Driver's Ed, and coached tennis, and track. Towards the end of his career at Bristow Public Schools he became Athletic Director. After 23 years teaching and coaching at Bristow Public Schools he retired in 1990.

He made an impact on many of his students he taught and coached, with many of them staying in touch over the years and telling him so, which always warmed his heart. Many of his students called him Coach Nick or Coach Puke and it never got old for him.

For many years he served as Creek County Civil Defense Director, and then continued as Bristow Civil Defense Director, before retiring from the position in 1998. He received an Award of Merit for Recognition and Appreciation from Bristow's Mayor for 24 years of faithful and valuable service as the Civil Defense Director. He also served as a Volunteer Firefighter in Bristow.

He was honored to be named Bristow Citizen of the Year in 1985. In 2010, he was named the Wildflower Run Honoree.

Charley loved his wife and family unconditionally, praying for them and being there for them through many celebrations and trials. You could always find him supporting his grands and great grands at all their sporting and school events, not wanting to miss anything.  He believed in making an effort to spend time with family, and to him it was the best of times. He enjoyed over 40 years going on the "Guy's" Spring Break fishing trips, and many other fishing and camping trips over the years to have lasting memories. Charley was an avid NASCAR fan and attended many NASCAR Race weekends with Sharon right there with him. Where you saw Charley, Sharon was usually by his side. Their daughters joined them later and will always cherish those trips.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Sharon Nicholson of the Bristow home; two daughters, Leisa Nicholson Hallman and husband Mike of Bristow, Teresa Ledgerwood and husband Curtis of Bristow; Six grandchildren, Ben Hallman (Brandy) of Bristow Ashley Linker (Cody) of Bristow, Connor Ledgerwood of Fullerton, California, Dayton Ledgerwood (Kelsey) of Bristow Oklahoma; Six great grandchildren, Joshua Hallman, Court Hallman, Rylee Linker, Preslee Linker, Laycee Ledgerwood, and Gracie Ledgerwood; One sister-in-law Jeannine Moore, nephew Jason Phariss (Nancy) and niece Whitney Jones (Brian). Charley had a host of extended family and friends he loved. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorial services are scheduled for 2:00PM, Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at the Bristow First Baptist Church.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to give in his memory to the Bristow Education Foundation, PO Box 531, Bristow, Oklahoma  74010