Ford Amos Nichols

On July 8, Ford Amos "Nick" Nichols said, "My life has been wonderful, and I owe it to Him," as he pointed above. Whenever he was asked if he had a good day, he would respond: "Every day is a good day." Ford was the youngest of eight children born to Walter Nichols and Lula Frith Nichols Creasy in Bedford County, Virginia. From the stories Ford told, he undoubtedly had an interesting life. His stories of adventures with his siblings revealed a good bit of innocent mischievousness and throughout his life he exhibited an incredible sense of humor. At the age of eight, he survived a bite from a rattlesnake, which was one of his most memorable experiences. He started woodworking at a young age and was a talented, avid woodworker all of his life, often helping others in need of a skilled carpenter or electrician. The highlight of Ford's life was proudly serving in the Marines during World War II. He served in the Pacific and enjoyed showing a picture of the future President Gerald Ford who served on the same aircraft carrier, the USS Monterey. During the war he had a variety of assignments, which included distributing ammunition during battle, serving on an anti-aircraft gun crew, and serving as the captain's orderly. He especially enjoyed his last duty on the carrier because if the captain did not want to be disturbed, Ford had the authority, as a PFC, to tell officers they could not see the captain. Ford always said he was never afraid during the war because he knew God was with him, and throughout his tour of duty, he carried a New Testament given to him by his mother. After the war, Ford and some of his family members would take impromptu late night trips to Washington, D.C. Once they became lost in the city and climbed to the top of the Washington Monument to determine which road would lead them out of the city. He was married to Shirley Hogan Nichols, and they had four children. He opened a television repair shop behind their home and eventually opened Nick's Electronic and Appliance in Altavista. At the age of 75, he moved to Amherst where he designed and built from the ground up his last home. He was a member of and Sunday school teacher at White's United Methodist Church. He designed, oversaw and helped with the construction of their fellowship hall when he was 80. After moving to the Amherst area, he worked at Lowe's in Madison Heights where he retired in 2011, one month shy of his 88th birthday. On Friday, July 12, 2013 Nick passed away at the age of 90. Ford was predeceased by three brothers, Osbey Nichols, Luther Nichols, Lewis Nichols, and four sisters, Bessie Hudson, Jennie Mays, Catherine Kell, and Pearl Hodnett. All of his children and their spouses survive him, Steve and Sheila Nichols of Dublin, Ohio, Donna and Gary Hicks of North Carolina, Cathy and James Cocke of Lynchburg, Virginia, and Walter and Janet Nichols of Mebane, NC . His grandchildren and their spouses are Chad and Rachel Nichols, Brian and Melinda Nichols, Melissa White, Lauren Colbert, Bethany Milam, and Matthew Colbert. He has nine great-grandchildren. Wherever he lived, the birds and squirrels never went hungry. He was kind to all animals and was especially fond of cats. At night, he would fix a bowl of ice cream for himself, and one bowl for each of his cats. In lieu of flowers, it is requested that donations be made to the building fund for the Lynchburg Humane Society, 3305 Naval Reserve Rd., Lynchburg, VA 24501. The family would like to thank Seven Hills Hospice and the staff at Runk and Pratt on Leesville Road for their outstanding care and compassion. A funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m., Monday, July 15, 2013 at Finch and Finch Chapel, Altavista by the Rev. Carl Weiser. Interment will follow in New Prospect Baptist Church Cemetery with military honors by the Marine Corps Honor Detail and American Legion Post 36. The family will receive friends from 6:30-8:00 p.m., Sunday at Finch and Finch Funeral and Cremation Service, Altavista.

Ford Amos Nichols

March 21, 1923 - July 12, 2013