DR. THEODORE "TED" NICKSICK, JR. , 74, of
Wharton, TX, died March 27, 1996 following a brief
illness, with burial at the Evergreen Memorial Park
Cemetery in Wharton.
He was born July 30, 1931 in Slovan, PA, the son of
Theodore and Mary Matich Nicksick, Sr. Upon graduating
from the Burgettstown High School, where he lettered
in basketball, football & baseball, he was drafted by
the Cincinnati Reds Professional Baseball Team but
chose instead to accept a basketball scholarship at
West Virginia University. As a varsity member he
participated in the National Tournament in New York
City. As a member of the R.O.T.C. at West Virginia
University he was drafted with the unit into the
United States Army Infantry Division.
Following an honorable discharge from the Army he
attended Texas Weslyan College on a basketball
scholarship and was a member of the team that
captured national prominence by defeating Duquesne
University in Pittsburgh, PA. Upon graduating from
Texas Weslyan College he signed with Boston Celtics
Professional Basketball Team but later he attended
North Texas State University where he earned his
Doctor of Education Degree. While at North Texas
State University he also served as an assistant
basketball coach.
For the next two years he served as a Counselor &
Dean of Students at Austin College in Sherman, Texas.
He then moved to Ranger to become President of Ranger
Junior College and served there for seven years and
the Nicksick Hall building was named in his honor.
He had been a resident of Wharton since 1966 and was
the President of Wharton County Junior College until
his retirement in 1984. During his tenure an extensive
building program and curriculum additions were success-
fully completed.
He served as President of the Texas Public Junior
Community College Association from 1977 to 1979. Among
the numerous recognitions and awards he received were
Texas Weslyan College Alumnus of the Year in 1969;
Presidential Award of Excellence from the Wharton Chamber
of Commerce 1978; Award of Appreciation in 1984 from the
Texas Junior College Association. He was inducted into
the Texas Weslyan College Hall of Fame in 1994; Man of
the year Awards from numerous Community & Civic Associ-
ations. He has since chaired and served on numerous
Community and Foundation Boards including the Wharton
Civic Center.