On January 5, 1977, the Good Lord sent forth the spirit of Robert Fitzgerald "Nick" Nicholson to fulfill his earthly assignment, choosing Robert Nicholson, Jr. and Varrie Jane Nicholson as his parents. Nick was the third born to the couple.

He always knew God. A lifelong member of the Church of God In Christ Congregational where as a child he was a member of the Sunshine Band.

Educated by East St. Louis School District #189, he attended McHenry Elementary, Clark Jr. High, before graduating from East St. Louis Lincoln Sr. High School in 1995.

He matriculated to Lane College and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. There, Gerald was an honor student and made the Dean's List for high academic achievement. He furthered his education at Lindenwood University where he achieved a Master of Arts in Special Education, Master of Arts in Educational Administration, along with an Educational Specialist degree.

Besides his first degree, Lane provided Gerald two life changing moments. In 1996, he met his lifelong mate, Quanshanda Cobb with the two joining in matrimony on August 17, 2002. The union was blessed with three handsome sons - Robert F. Nicholson Jr., Ryan Chandler Nicholson, and Joel Ryheem Nicholson- building a family of love, laughter and faith.

He joined his beloved Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. Beta Lambda Chapter in the Spring of 1998 building a lifelong brotherhood with his line brothers Rodriguez "Lil Tony" Bradshaw, Reginald Mosby, Anthony "Amp" Newborn, Justin "J-Rock" Sellers, Marcus Lloyd, Collin Roach, Christopher Nichols, Vincent "V-Hunt" Hunter, Reco Chapple, and Brandon "Bodie" Coleman.

Upholding the storied family legacy of shaping young minds, Gerald dedicated twenty-five years to the St. Louis Public School District as a Special Service Teacher and the Director of The SET Program. He served in various roles in the St. Louis Public School System. He served as the Head Basketball Coach at Roosevelt High School, Northwest High School and Soldan High School and as a Tennis Coach at Roosevelt High School. His commitment to students extended beyond the classroom and onto the court.

God, family and work centered around his world. With his side-splitting humor, he was always the life of the party, bringing sunshine to every space he entered and making everyone feel as family or a close friend. His faith, generosity, and unwavering commitment to others created a legacy of love and service that will live on in all who knew him.

On September 10, 2025, God brought his beloved child home where his father, grandparents, great aunt, aunts, and uncles awaited him.

His love will forever be etched in the hearts of his wife, Quanshanda, sons, Robert, Ryan, and Joel Nicholson; his mother, Varrie J. Nicholson, sisters, Robbie L. (James) Edmond, Katrina J. (Larry) Williams, and brother, Raynard (Ratesha) Nicholson; mother-in-law, Katie Chism, father-in-law, Norman Cobb; nieces, McKenzie J. Williams, Aiyanna Nicholson, Paris M. Bateman; nephews, James F. Edmond, Jr. Nicholas J. Edmond, Kendall J. Edmond, Johnathan C. Williams, Evan J. Williams, Raynard L. Nicholson, Jr., Marvin Bateman Jr. (Host of other nieces and nephews); uncles, Charles Booker and Arthur Chism; aunts, Ida McKinnie and Dorothy Cross; god father, Jethroe A. Brown; god sisters, Paris (Marvin) Bateman, Paula K. (Gerald) Nixon, Tamara (Bush) Nimmer; god brother, G. Dallon Bush, II Esq.; sisters-in-law, Norma (Tim) Brown, Ruth Denise Cobb, Kimberly Cobb, and Kathy Cobb; his brothers-in-law, Ashley Cobb and Joshua Cobb. He is also survived by extended family, Cova Bradley, Walter Crosby, Christopher Davis, Romerao Davis, Brandon, Brandon Edwards, Brandi Howell Esq. Shardae King, Torrance McCaleb, Earl McDowell, Jr. and Oliver McDowell, Sr., along with many other devoted relatives and friends, 918 Bond Ave. Church Family, St. Louis Public Schools Staff and Students.