Leonard's Obituary
Leonard E. “Nick” Nicholas passed away on April 24, 2024, in Houston, Texas. Son of Donald Nicholas and Helen (nee Reardon) Nicholas, he was born September 25, 1938, in Guymon, Oklahoma. After graduating from Oklahoma State University with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering, he went to work for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 1960. It was during this time that he met the love of his life, Petra “Petrita” Medina, through a mutual friend. After a year-long courtship, they married in Vega Alta, Puerto Rico in 1964. After their honeymoon, they moved often throughout the southern U.S., wherever the FAA needed a new radar installed. Shortly before the birth of their first child, Leonard accepted a job with the Manned Spacecraft Center in Houston, Texas in 1966, which was renamed the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in 1973. During his time as a National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) electrical engineer for the U.S. space program, he worked on the Gemini, Apollo, Skylab, Apollo-Soyuz and Shuttle Programs. After 40+ years of working for the Federal government, he retired in 2002.
Retirement meant let the traveling begin! Petrita and Leonard cruised the Caribbean, the Rhine River, the Panama Canal, the Alaskan coast and the Inside Passage of the Pacific Northwest. They traveled by rail across Canada. They visited many European locales, but their favorites were Italy and Spain. They loved traveling but Leonard always looked forward to getting back home where he could retreat to his garage or his study to tinker with his “stuff”.
Leonard was a cherished husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 56 years, Petrita, his parents, Donald and Helen, and his brother, Carl. He is survived by his three children, Eileen Nicholas, Suzanne (Jason) Levy, Kevin (Danielle) Nicholas; granddaughter, Jessica Levy; grandson, Nicholas Levy; and numerous in-laws, nieces and nephews.
We lost our beloved dad and grandfather, and we cherish the memories of being tucked into bed as young children, memorable summer road trip vacations to Colorado, New Mexico, Florida, and Oklahoma. Especially unforgettable: driving the rented RV to southern New Mexico, the trip to Walt Disney World, riding the Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, several trips to Red River, New Mexico, as well as many a trip to Guymon, Oklahoma. We will miss our weekday dinners and Sunday afternoon visits. His friends will miss their fishing trips together. He was a quiet man to most, but he had a great laugh when you tickled his funny bone. He was always ready to help his children, grandchildren and friends in whatever way he could. He cherished his wife, his children, and grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by all.
The family will receive family and friends on Wednesday, May 1st, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at Peevey Funeral Home; 12440 Beamer Road, Houston 77089. A service honoring Leonard’s life will be held Thursday, May 2nd, at 11:00am also at Peevey Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Forest Park East Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory to the charity of your choice.
