Daniel Boone Nickell

Daniel Boone Nickell, Major USAF Retired

Daniel died at a reasonable time on the morning of January 8, 2026 in Fayetteville, NC at the age of 83 years at Valley Hospice House after a brief stay. During his last days, he was embraced with love day and night by his wife and youngest daughter Laura as they shared memories, funny stories, movies, and participated in a special art painting remembrance project. Laura’s cat Turtle even visited with him.

He is survived by his beloved second wife Katherine M. Guley Nickell from Binghamton, NY; they were married more than 37 years. He leaves behind his two beloved daughters Laura M. Roberts and Justin of North Carolina, Katherine E. English of Ohio and her three adult children, and son Steven V. Nickell and Cassie of Pennsylvania and his three children, brother-in-law David C. Guley and Pauline Garrone of Hobe Sound, Florida, and first cousins Mark J. Elder of Sedona, Arizona, and Robert I. Elder of the Bronx, New York.

He was preceded in death by his mother “Betty” Mary Elizabeth Elder Nickell from Ann Arbor, MI (2011) and father Thomas Pieratt Nickell (1968) from Maytown, KY and three half-siblings –Helen Christine Nickell (2008) PA, Thomas Pieratt Nickell Jr. (2009) CA, and James Kash Nickell (2015) IN.

Daniel graduated from Muskegon High School in Muskegon, MI, earned his Bachelor of Arts & Communications degree Cum Laude from the University of Michigan, East Lansing, MI in 1968 and MBA from George Mason University, Fairfax, VA in 1990. He enlisted in the US Air Force, rose through the ranks and became an officer; he served honorably for twenty years during the Vietnam Era. After retirement he worked for several Washington, DC defense contractors and started a business consulting firm. In later years, Daniel was a volunteer member of SCORE helping local small businesses with their challenges and presented business planning seminars; he earned The President’s Silver Volunteer Service Award.

At a future date, his memorial service will be held with full military honors in Virginia at the Cemetery, and Daniel will rest in Arlington National Cemetery Columbarium. A Scottish bagpiper will play Amazing Grace per his wishes. Since Daniel was an older but very much engaged father for Laura, in lieu of flowers, please consider doing something for her.