NICKELL, John Tell

Thompson Funeral Chapel, Goodyear, Arizona John Tell Nickell, 87, of Litchfield Park, passed away on September 26, 2010 in Scottsdale. He was born June 25, 1923 in Cleburne, Texas and moved to Arizona in 1963. He was a Navy Pilot in WWII, stationed on the carriers Yorktown and San Jacinto. He was also awarded the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross and 2 air medals. He was past master of Acacia Lodge 47, past patron of Acacia 46 OES, past royal patron of New Horizon Court 12 Amaranth, and a member of the Scottish Rite of Free Masons. He was a mechanical engineer in the aerospace field. When not working or spending time with the family, he found time to hunt, fish and scuba dive. He was able to achieve a rare goal by bagging the "Arizona big 10" game species. He also was an avid gardener and an incredible handyman. He is survived by his wife Dora Nickell, His daughters Clara Higgins, Joanna Finkenkeller, and Kitty Young, his son Jay Nickell, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Visitation will be Sunday, October 3, 2010 from 4-7pm at Thompson's Valley West Funeral Chapel, 926 S. Litchfield Rd., Goodyear, AZ. Funeral services will be held Monday, October 4, 2010 at 10:00am, also at Thompson's Funeral Chapel, with burial to follow at 1:00pm at National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 N Cave Creek Rd, Phoenix, AZ.