In Memory of Grady Sexton Nicholson III

Grady Sexton Nicholson III, age 63, passed away August 27, 2025, from complications of throat cancer in the Christus Southern New Mexico hospital, Alamogordo, NM. He was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Tipton Walters Nicholson, and a stepbrother, Joseph F. Jund.

He is survived by his father, Grady Sexton Nicholson II; his stepmother of 53 years, Nellie M. Nicholson; a brother, Tedd C. Nicholson; and a stepsister, Teresa M. Retman.

Grady, or G3 as his dad frequently called him, was a bit of a maverick from the start…he was born in the back seat of the family car on Easter Sunday morning, April 22, 1962. G3’s dad remembers the event well: Dad and G3’s soon-to-be Mom had recently moved to Alamogordo from Las Cruces, NM where dad had just graduated from NMSU. Mom wanted to keep her El Paso pregnancy doctor instead of changing to a local doctor. Mom’s mother and father had come down from Albuquerque for a short visit. So, this beautiful Easter Sunday Morning Mom-to-be started having pains, but she didn’t tell anybody for a while. You can imagine what happened when she finally said something! G3’s dad and nearly mom were immediately off to El Paso via US 54, “nearly Mom” in the back seat, father and mother were following behind. About 5 miles from the TX-NM border, G3 decided he had waited long enough to start his life, so dad stopped the car. Mother and father arrived about 5 minutes later. By that time, G3 was resting comfortably on his mother’s tummy. But during that time, dad swears that G3, about halfway through his escape process, looked him straight in the eye. Of course, babies’ vision is blurred at birth, but the occasion takes on meaning when you consider that his dad was the last person G3 saw just before he passed. Anyway, the two vehicles traveled a few miles further and into Texas, and stopped at a little bar, which is probably still there. Dad called the doctor from the bar (cell phones were still unknown), while mother and a passerby tied the cord. Dad, G3 and his new mom drove toward El Paso and soon met the oncoming ambulance which delivered G3 to a very nervous doctor at the hospital. So G3’s birth certificate incorrectly says G3 is a Texan and not a New Mexican. And maybe that is the reason he grew up to be a Dallas Cowboy fan. Dad’s only positive takeaway from this incident, except for being a successful birth monitor and emergency driver, is that in the hospital he was able to see G3 anytime, since G3 was born outside of the hospital. Dad’s not sure it was worth it.

Grady accumulated few achievements that are normally highlighted in a biography such as this (probably a reflection of his maverick nature). Grady lived his entire life in Alamogordo, except for a couple of years of high school in Albuquerque while living with his mother’s parents. He finally returned to Alamogordo and earned a GED from NMSU-A. Grady worked in the Alamogordo area providing general laborer services and occasionally served as a kitchen custodial aid to some area restaurants. But he never settled on an occupation.

But where Grady lacked personal achievements, he made up for in thoughtfulness and assistance, especially toward his family…his father and stepmother received special attention. He was concerned about people and was eager to help in any way he could. Perhaps the best summary of Grady’s life is in a short note prepared by a second cousin of Grady:

“Grady was a man of quiet strength and immense generosity. Grady’s legacy is not written in accolades, but in the countless moments he showed up for others. He will be remembered by all who knew him as always, the first to offer a helping hand to friends, family, and neighbors without ever expecting anything in return.

Let's remember Grady, for his warm smile, his capable hands, and his incredible spirit.”