Laurens Chisolm Nicholson of Greenville and Fripp Island died Monday, June 22, 2009. Born December 24, 1915, in Charleston, South Carolina, he was the son of the late Faust and Susan Chisolm Nicholson. Nick was predeceased by his wife, Dortha Strobehn Nicholson; and his brother, Faust Nicholson. A 1937 graduate of The Citadel, Nick joined the Coastal Artillery and served as commanding officer of Fort Moultrie and Fort Sumter. During World War II, he served on General Douglas McArthur’s staff and was responsible for the repatriation of foreign nationals in Japan. After leaving the service, he returned to Greenville and owned the Nehi RC Cola and Schweppes Bottling Company. As “the father of Diet Rite Cola,” Nick bottled, marketed and distributed the first diet soft drink. Nick was a member of St. Helena’s Episcopal in Beaufort and a member of Christ Church Episcopal in Greenville for over 80 years. He was a member of the St. Andrew’s Society, the Poinsett Club, and the Cotillion Club. He is survived by his sister, Mrs. Lauriston Hardin Blythe (Susan) of Greenville; and his daughters, Mrs. Forrest Mahlon Edwards (Carolyn) of Mt. Pleasant, Sarah North Nicholson (Sally) and Mrs. William Nelson Poe (Cindy) of Greenville. Nick cherished his grandchildren, Lauren Nicholson Edwards, Jamie Clark Edwards, Forrest Mahlon Edwards Jr., Hugh Smith Thompson Jr., Mrs. Samuel Hollis Coker (Harriet) and Frances Cureton Poe; and great-grandson, Reaves Nelson Coker. The funeral service will be held at Christ Church Episcopal in Greenville on Wednesday, June 24, 2009, at 2 p.m. The family will receive guests Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at 117 Chisolm Trail. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Citadel Foundation, Laurens Chisolm Nicholson Scholarship, 171 Moultrie Street, Charleston, SC 29409 or The Christ Church Memorial Reserve, 10 N. Church Street, Greenville, SC 29601. Nick was well loved and loved well. The Mackey Mortuary. Obituaries and online registry at www.mackeymortuary.com. Published in The Greenville News: 06-23-2009. Tags: 1937
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