Dale Irvin Nicholson

Dale Irvin Nicholson, 81, of Hoschton passed away peacefully on May 13, 2025 at Northeast Georgia Medical Center – Braselton Campus. Funeral services will be held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with interment following at Lauderdale Memorial Park, alongside his parents and many longtime friends. A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date in Georgia.

Dale was born on July 18, 1943 in Miami, Florida to Mr. and Mrs. Wilford Miller Nicholson and Doris Mae Nicholson, who were both longtime residents of Fort Lauderdale.

He was preceded in death by his parents, however, he is survived by his loving wife, Joy Maszor-Nicholson; daughter, Julie Ann Nicholson (Brittany); sons, Scott Alan Nicholson, (Aspen), and Mark Darrell Heath; grandchildren; Maddox and Cassidy Rose Nicholson.

Following his high school graduation at Fort Lauderdale High School, he attended Broward Junior College while playing 2 seasons of semi-pro football with the Fort Lauderdale Tigers. Dale’s journey him to Parris Island, South Carolina for basic training with the United States Marine Corps. He honorably served for 4 years of active duty that included a combat tour in South Vietnam, where he was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received on September 24, 1966. He was also awarded Vietnam Service Medal, National Defense Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, along with 2 Presidential Unit Citations and numerous other unit decorations.

In 1967 he began a distinguished 31 year career with Southern Bell Telephone Company, beginning as an installer-repair technician in Opa -Locka, Florida, transferring into business sales and rising quickly into sales management in 1972. He was transferred to SBT headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia in 1978, then reassigned to AT & T in 1983, and finally promoted to Washington, DC as Director – Market Sensing & Planning for AT & T- with a BS – Management degree from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. He was recognized in 1985 as a top one-percent performer of AT&T and appointed to the prestigious Leaders Council and Leaders Board and recognized in the Who’s Who in Sales & Marketing – 1988-89.

Shortly after his arrival in Atlanta, Ga. Dale followed his son Mark into the youth football program at Murphey Candler Park in Chamblee/Dunwoody gravitating from a sideline observer to a head coach and multi-year terms as president and athletic director, 1982 to 1992. Here again he instilled lifelong values through competitive athletics, hard work, commitment, teamwork, character development, and excellence in education. Under his leadership the Atlanta Colt Youth Assn. won four Pop Warner National Championships and had numerous academically accomplished student-athletes selected as Pop Warner Academic All Americans. His extraordinary accomplishments earned him the State of Georgia Governor’s Medal for “Meritorious contribution to the interest of the State of Georgia and its citizens”.

Dale retired from AT&T at age 55 and launched The D.I. Nicholson Group, Inc., a business consulting firm specializing in organizational development and sales channel effectiveness. He was recognized by the National Register Who’s Who – Executives and Professionals – 2005-2006 and Marquis Who’s Who in America – 2024 with their Lifetime Achievement Award. After his retirement he and wife joy became “Cruise Junkies” taking to the seas and chasing the dream.

Notwithstanding all of Dale’s exceptional accomplishments is his love for family. He tried to give to his children what he never had in his youth, a participatory father. His devotion, love, profound honor, discipline and pride, straightforwardness, and “live to commitment” quality of character set standards that they could emulate and live by. 

In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations be made to the charity of your choice in memory of Dale.