Obituary of Walter Upshur Nicholas Jr

Walter Upshur Nicholas, Jr., 79, passed away peacefully on May 4, 2025, surrounded by those he loved.

He was born on August 16, 1945, in Washington, D.C., to Bette and Walter Nicholas, Sr.

Serving as a cadet in the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in Connecticut from 1963 to 1967, he attended the University of Mayland and Southern Methodist University in Dallas. Walter then went on to build a distinguished career as an aerospace engineer. In 1969 he began his career in Fort Worth working on the F-16 for General Dynamics which later became Lockheed Martin.  He retired from Lockheed Martin in 2016, where he was highly respected for his expertise and was even asked to consult on the F-35 project after retirement.

Walter had a zest for life and a passion for adventure. He enjoyed ballroom dancing, hiking, fishing, scuba diving, and underwater photography, while exploring islands in the Caribbean. He was equally happy taking long walks with his grandkids, wife and beloved dog, Remington.

Walter lived a life rooted in faith and service. He was active in his church community, having served as an altar boy in his youth and later as a Eucharistic minister. Above all, he cherished his family and delighted in spending time with his grandchildren, watching his grandson’s Will and Sam’s baseball games, hiking trails with them and attending his granddaughter Abby’s recitals.

Walter was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Robert (“Bob”) and Roland (“Rod”) Nicholas; and his nephew, Chad Nicholas.

He is survived by his loving wife, Melissa Nicholas; daughter, Christine Sisk and her husband Jeff; stepdaughter, Laurel Augustine; and his grandchildren, Abigail, William, and Samuel Sisk; brother, Richard Nicholas and wife Dena, sister-in-law, Lynn Nicholas, and his faithful dog, Remington.

Mass of Christian Burial: 11:00 a.m. Monday, May 19, 2025 at St. Benedict Catholic Church, 2920 Azle Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76106.

Visitation & Rosary: A rosary will begin at 6:00 p.m. followed by a visitation from 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Sunday, May 18, 2025 at Thompson's Harveson & Cole Chapel, 4350 River Oaks Blvd., Fort Worth,TX 76114.

Interment: 2:00 p.m. Monday, May 19, 2025 at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Pkwy, Dallas, TX 75211.