Mr. Clyde William “Chip” Nordstrom passed away peacefully Feb. 3, 2024, at Norfolk General Hospital, where he was born 64 years ago. He was the eldest son of Clyde Vernon Nordstrom Jr. and Julia Vakos Nordstrom.
Chip will be remembered as a man who lived life on his own terms. He did what he wanted when he wanted, and not many people can say that. He was truly a man of all seasons.
Except for college and brief post-graduate work, Chip was a lifelong Eastern Shoreman. He grew up in Nassawadox and Jamesville and graduated from Broadwater Academy. For one year, he attended Virginia Tech in their Corps of Cadets program before joining his brother, Dennis, at the College of William and Mary, where he graduated with a double major in biology and business administration. At that time, he began growing his hair into his signature ponytail.
Growing up, Chip learned carpentry and auto mechanic skills from his dad and inherited a love of books and reading from his mom. He could build or fix anything and was a self-taught student of religion, astrology, and Ayurveda medicine, traveling to New Mexico to further educate himself in the studies.
Chip was always willing to help his fellow man, whether friend or stranger. He helped renovate and repair many a house. He moved many a sibling, parent, and friend. And Chip listened to many a story when someone needed an ear. He also provided unvarnished advice. While completing post-graduate marine biology studies in Florida, Chip rescued a fellow scuba diver whose tank had run out of air.
His 30-acre farm in Northampton County, however, was his life’s work. After clearing the land, Chip, a fan of British countryside architecture, designed and built with friends and family an Old World English cottage with cedar shake siding and roof, and a thick handmade arched door. The cottage was heated by a wood stove. He situated the house so the sunsets over the marsh were perfectly framed by his kitchen window. His Amish-style barn was meticulously planned down to the exact board lengths to avoid any leftover building material. His farm provided Chip with a solace and privacy that he loved and needed. On any given day, one would find Chip down there reading, studying, chopping wood, or clearing land. To those who knew and loved him, that is how he will be remembered.
Chip is survived by his parents, Clyde Vernon and Julia Vakos Nordstrom, of Williamsburg; his brothers, Dennis (Katrina) Nordstrom, of Hawaii, and Michael (Mary) Nordstrom, of Indiana; and his sisters, Wendy (George) Kokolis, of Florida, and Judy (Charles) Bono, of Williamsburg.
He is also the beloved uncle to: Chelsea (Marty) Tozzi-Condivi, of Australia, Logan (Kelly) Nordstrom, of Charlottesville, Rhys Nordstrom, of Williamsburg, Halle Nordstrom, of New York City, Marinos Kokolis, of Williamsburg, Kalliope Kokolis, of New York City and Greece, Julie Kokolis, of Florida, Demetrius (Michelle) Kokolis, of Florida, Gabriel Bono, of Florida, Hannah Bono, of Kansas, Brett Bono, of Harrisonburg, Christian Nordstrom, of Indiana, and Alexandra Nordstrom, of Indiana. Chip will be deeply missed by them all.
Services will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Broadwater Academy, P.O. Box 546, Exmore, VA 23350 or online at: broadwateracademy.org
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.doughtyfuneralhome.com
Arrangements were made by Doughty Funeral Home in Exmore, Virginia.
