Peter Francis Niccum

Peter Francis Niccum, 59, of Raeford, North Carolina died peacefully on March 31, 2019. He passed away surrounded by his three children, his brother, and his wife of thirty-five years. 

Peter was born in Corvallis, Oregon. He and his older brother Michael shared a room for sixteen years, forging a life-long bond. In the summer of 1979 Peter met his future wife, Melissa, in California.  The two were married in August of 1983. They promised to love, honor, and irritate each other and carried out their vows faithfully. 

Peter began his career in the Army, honorably served on three different continents, and retired as a Captain. He then worked as an intelligence analyst, with a specialty in Latin America. He earned an industry-wide reputation as an insightful analyst who delivered his work with a soft-spoken yet emphatic tone, accompanied by a dose of humor. After retiring he spent five years as a Professor of U.S. National Security and Intelligence at Campbell University on Fort Bragg. 

His career was exceptional, but the greatest joy of Peter’s life was family, and being a father to Kaitlin, Andrew, and Alec. He loved Pinewood Derby, Science Fairs, and hand crafting elaborate Halloween costumes for his children. He brought home fireworks, comics, and dry ice to play with, and always had chocolate hidden in his desk. 

In 2000, Peter was diagnosed with cancer and told that he would die within the year. Thanks to Melissa’s support and Peter’s tenacious will to live, he survived eighteen years past his original prognosis. Peter’s determination led the FDA to create and approve a new cancer treatment that saves lives every year. 

Peter will be best remembered sitting in his recliner, surrounded by family and friends with one his three dogs close at hand. He was a man of comfortable silence and rolling laughter. He was always ready for a conversation about history, sports, good books, or bad movies. He was a prankster, an artist, and a cook. Peter lived a full and nuanced life. He was an incomparable man, husband, and father who will be deeply missed.

A memorial service for Peter will be held on Saturday, April 6, 2019 at 11:00 am at Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society at www.lls.org

Arrangements by Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home, 545 Ramsey St. Fayetteville, NC 28301.

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