Lawrence R Nickell MD

Dr. Lawrence R. Nickell, retired radiologist and long-time resident of West 7th Street, died Monday at Maury Regional Hospital. Funeral services will be conducted Thursday at 11:00 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church with Dr. Bill Williamson officiating. Graveside services will be Friday at 12:30 p.m. at Camp Nelson National Cemetery in Nicholasville, Kentucky. The family will visit with friends Wednesday from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Oakes & Nichols and Thursday from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the church. Memorials may be made to Maury County Public Library, 211 West 8th Street, Columbia 38401; Maury County Habitat for Humanity, 813 South Garden Street, Columbia 38401; or the Dr. Lawrence R. Nickell Memorial Scholarship Fund at Columbia State Community College, 1665 Hampshire Pike, Columbia 38401. Notes of sympathy may be sent to www.oakesandnichols.com. A native of Lexington, Kentucky, he was the son of the late Silas Monroe Nickell and Clara Blair Nickell. He was a graduate of the University of Kentucky and University of Louisville Medical School. A twice-wounded U. S. Army World War II combat veteran, he served in the entire European campaign from the invasion of Normandy to the capture of the Rhine, earning 5 campaign stars, the Bronze Star and a Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster. He was awarded the Verdun Medal by the French Government for his service in liberating France in World War II. He authored, RED DEVIL, a fascinating firsthand account of his infantry warfare during the war. Upon receiving his medical degree in 1952, he was awarded the Pitkin Award by the University of Louisville Medical School for the highest four-year average. Following his radiology residency at the University of Texas and post-graduate training at the Oak Ridge Institute of Nuclear Studies, he founded the Columbia Radiology Group. Dr. Nickell served as Chief of Staff at Maury Regional Hospital, president of the Maury County Medical Society, president of the Tennessee Radiological Society and Medical Director of the Columbia State Community College School of Radiological Technology. He served multiple terms as advisor to the Radiological Health Service of the State of Tennessee as a member of the Liaison Committee of the TRS. Dr. Nickell's professional awards include the Distinguished Service Award by the Tennessee Radiological Society and American Medical Association and Physician's Recognition awards for Continuing Medical Education; and was honored with induction as a Fellow of the American College of Radiology. He was a medical volunteer in radiology at St. Croix Hospital in Haiti, Miraj Medical Center in India and McCormick Hospital in Thailand, in addition to 6 tours of duty with St. Jude Hospital in St. Lucia.He was a past president and life-time board member of the local Habitat for Humanity and served as trustee of the Maury County Library Board. He also served on the advisory board for the Tennessee Division of the President's Commission on Cancer, Stroke, and Heart Disease; president of the Maury County Tuberculosis Association, board member of the Tennessee Chapter of the American Cancer Society, and member of the President's Club at Columbia State Community College. Dr. Nickell served as a member of the Diaconate and Session of First Presbyterian Church, and an Elder Emeritus. For his many-faceted areas of service in the military, academic endeavors, professional leadership, philanthropy, benevolence, and multi-institutional community support, he was awarded the 1998 Community Service Award presented by the Maury County Medical Society. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Mary Ann Roll Nickell of Columbia; three daughters, Kitty (Allan) Brewer of Columbus, Mississippi, Nannette (Drew) Hunter of Brentwood, and Courtney Brady of California; a son, Lawrence R. "Larry" Nickell, Jr. of Columbia; six grandchildren, Catey Cole Hunter, Andy Hunter, Kit Hunter, Caleb Brewer, James Brewer, and Nicholas Brewer; a great-granddaughter, Avree Brewer; a brother, Dr. William Harold (Helen) Nickell of Winchester, Kentucky; and other family members in Kentucky. Active pallbearers are Larry Nickell, Allan Brewer, Drew Hunter, Andy Hunter, Kit Hunter, Caleb Brewer, James Brewer, Nicholas Brewer, and Lukas Fowler. Honorary pallbearers include past and present Medical Staff of Maury Regional Hospital and members of the Session and Diaconate of First Presbyterian Church.