NWA pitchman and musician Ed Nicholson dies

Father, husband, guitarist, mentor, friend and giver of time — Harrison native Ed Nicholson died Thursday. He was 71.

State of play: Many knew Ed from his 21 years in public relations at Tyson Foods, and others from playing with several bands seemingly nonstop for years.

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• Still, more knew him from his life in Little Rock as an entrepreneur, and a skilled creator and ad man.
• And even more knew Ed from his life as a touring musician in the 1970s.

The big picture: I had the great fortune to share an office wall with Ed for several years, and to be included in one of his circles that occasionally rides bikes together.

• He was a connector of people, a common thread among many in NWA.
• A storyteller, gentleman and a scamp, Ed loved his family above all.

The bottom line: Words can't capture the depth of a man's life, and could barely scratch the surface of Nicholson's.

• I'm told there will be no public service.

My thought bubble: Ed, I love you, man. Thank you for your light.

Ed rode a recumbent bike, even up crazy hills (left). We rode across Iowa for RAGBRAI in 2016. Photos: Jack Pate