“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” - Psalm 23:4
On Monday, January 18, 2021, Nicholas S. Whaley, from Adairsville, GA, loving son, brother, and uncle, passed away at the age of 36.
Nicholas was born on November 10, 1984 in Austell, GA to Denise and Gary Whaley. He graduated from Adairsville High School in 2003. While in high school he worked at a local pizza joint known as The Pizza Place. Upon graduating from school he immediately enlisted in the Army as an Infantryman. Nicholas had a very active career in the Army. He served between 2003 to 2018 in Korea, Iraq, and Afghanistan. The two deployments in Iraq were heavy with fighting in the infamous city of Ramadi. A difficult task to endure for many, but Nicholas always pushed forward and fought hard for his country. After the Iraq deployments, he once again answered the call to serve his country. Nicholas was deployed to southern Afghanistan just outside of Kandahar. There, he and his unit engaged in heavy combat against the Taliban, as it was a very active area at the time. Anyone that served with him during these times knows how much of a warrior he was. Nicholas was a great leader and mentor to many soldiers on and off the battlefield. In 2018 he Medically Retired from the Army and moved back to his hometown of Adairsville, GA where he spent the remainder of his days.
Nicholas only had two great loves in his life, the military and his family. He enjoyed long retired nights gaming. He enjoyed being outdoors fishing, hunting, camping, and being at the lake. He wanted to buy a lakeside cabin and spend his retirement life fishing. He enjoyed spending time with his family and loved aggravating his nieces and nephews. Anyone around him knew how much he loved to make people laugh. He had a kind heart and if you became one of his close friends, or if he considered you family, he would have taken the coat off his back. It didn’t matter to him if you lived three states away he would come and help you move or hangout if you were going through a rough time. Through all his selflessness, he was well known for being outspoken. It didn’t matter if you wanted to hear it or not, he let you know what he was thinking. He may not have had human children but he had two spoiled pitbulls, Ranger and Athena that he treated as such. Family was the most important thing in his life. From his mother to his nieces and nephews he would have done anything for them.
Nicholas was preceded in death by his father Gary. He is survived by Mother Denise, Sisters Bethany and Angela, Brother Dakota, Nieces Kai, Kaylee, Ariana, Evelyn, and Lacee, and Nephews Connor and Cameron. He will be missed but not forgotten.
