Jacob John Nickodem, Jr.

Jacob John Nickodem, Jr., 76, passed away suddenly on Sunday, April 19, 2020 from injuries sustained in an accident doing something he dearly loved to do, riding his bicycle.

Jacob was born September 18, 1943 in Morgantown, West Virginia to the late Jacob John “Jake” Nickodem, Sr. and Nellie Warzocha Nickodem.  He spent his early years there and was a member of the 1961 Graduating Class of Morgantown High School.  Jacob then attended West Virginia University where he majored in electrical engineering and was recipient of a Bachelor’s degree in 1965.  Soon after graduation, he relocated to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where he worked for IBM and later, PPG Industries before making his final move to Jesup, Georgia working for Rayonier Advanced Materials as a systems analyst.  Jacob loved life and he lived it to the fullest.  He took his first trip of many to Europe in 1967.  In addition to his extensive travels in Europe, he also visited China, Japan, and Korea and was an active participant in numerous mission trips to the Dominican Republic.  Another passion of Jacob’s was art.  He was a talented sculptor and avid collector of art for many years.  He used his attention to detail in everything he did and he mastered the art of cooking, a pastime he truly loved.   Jacob enjoyed entertaining guests at his home and sharing the stories behind the pieces he had collected.  Always a voracious reader, He took great pride in his collection of books and was known to take a book along on many shopping trips to help pass the time.  He logged over 50,000 miles on his bicycle and had participated in numerous charity rides including the Tour de Cure for Diabetes research and Bikes to Barges in Amsterdam.  Jacob was truly a family man and he loved kids.  He was a Girl Scout leader for many years and always enjoyed dressing up at Halloween and scaring the neighborhood kids for fun.  He volunteered countless hours at Tabitha’s place, a local non-profit food kitchen and was a longtime communicant of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church where he served many years as chairman of the Columbarium Committee.

Survivors include his beloved wife of fifty-three years, Mary Jo Bramer Nickodem of Jesup, Georgia; three daughters, Heather Cheatham and husband, Patrick of Morrisville, North Carolina, Lt. Col Jessica Rhyne and husband, Lt. Col William Allen Rhyne of West End, North Carolina and Brandee Gurnot and husband, John of  San Antonio, Texas;  sister, Marcella Hill and husband, Allen of Star City, West Virginia and grandchildren, Ruby and Roxy.  Numerous extended family members also survive.

Private memorial services will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church with the Reverend Dee Shaffer officiating. Entombment of his cremated remains will follow in the church Columbarium.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 745 S. Palm Street, Jesup, GA 31546 or Tabitha’s Place, 247 S. Second Street, Jesup, GA 31545.

Jacob will be remembered fondly for many things by his family and friends, among these things are his wit, charm, larger than life personality and uncanny ability to find beauty in all aspects of life, especially the “little things."

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