Allan Douglas Nichols

Allan Douglas Nichols, Age 77, passed away peacefully on May 21, 2015. Allan was the eldest son of Elizabeth Brown Nichols and Howard Haley Nichols of Ogdensburg, New York and Atlanta, Georgia. He was born July 23, 1937 in Ogdensburg, NY which is at the eastern end of the 1000 Islands region; the home of renowned artist Frederic Remington and an area rich in culture and history that always interested him. Allan spent most of his adult life in Atlanta and Saint Simons Island, GA. He graduated from North Fulton High School in Atlanta, Georgia in 1955, a ‘Buckhead Boy’, and from The School of Business at Emory University in 1959. While in college, he was an active member and officer of the Kappa Alpha fraternity.

He is survived by his loving wife, Janis, and five children: Mark Nichols (Palm Springs, CA), Timothy (Susan) Nichols (Dallas, TX), Andrew (Mary) Nichols (Atlanta, GA), Allison (Coe) Harper (Seattle, WA), Douglas (Michele) Nichols (Atlanta, GA) and his nine grandchildren; Madison, Emily, Lauren, Eric, Drew, Douglas, Jr., Anne Catherine, Josephine and Peyton Harper.

Allan cherished his family and the life he shared with Janis in Atlanta, Seattle, Ridgewood and Saint Simons Island. He loved the history and beauty (and especially the golf!) in St. Simons Island and Sea Island. Allan maintained active involvement at many levels in support of several charities - the SE Georgia Medical Center, Hospice of the Golden Isles, the St. Simons Island Land Trust, Coastal Georgia Historical Society, The Farm at Oatland North, Coastal Georgia Historical Society, Brunswick Habitat for Humanity and the Boys and Girls Clubs of SE Georgia.

He was a natural athlete and played sports throughout college and his adult life, especially enjoying golf and racquet sports with his children. A longtime member of the Atlanta Athletic Club, Capital City Club, Broadmoor Country Club, Ridgewood Country Club and the Sea Island Golf Club, Allan recorded many memorable rounds with friends and family.

In 1956, he joined the First National Bank of Atlanta and was a pioneer in developing electronic banking as we know it today. In 1980 he joined the Rainier National Bank in Seattle, Washington as Executive Vice President in charge of Retail Banking. In 1987, he was appointed Chairman and President of The American Federal Bank of Dallas, Texas. In 1990 he became Chairman and CEO of the Citizen’s First National Bank in Ridgewood, New Jersey.

During his business career, he was involved in many educational, civic and philanthropic activities. He was President of the Emory Business School Alumni Association and a member of the Executive Council. He served as a guest lecturer at Emory and Georgia State University speaking on the emergence of electronic banking for individuals. He also spoke at numerous State, National, and International banking conferences.

He was a graduate of the American Institute of Banking, and later an instructor for several classes. In the mid-seventies, he was invited to appear before the Senate Banking Committee for a discussion on electronic banking. In the late eighties, he appeared before the House Banking Committee to discuss the FDIC recovery plan for the bankrupt Savings and Loan Institutions in Texas. Allan was also active in the American Bankers Association and the Bank Marketing Association. He served as chairman of numerous committees for these organizations over his professional career. He had a special interest in the development of the Visa credit card and was a founding Director of the “PLUS” system, an international ATM processing system.

Allan experienced a wonderful 77 years of life, and he lived them to the fullest. He was a kind and generous loving husband, parent, grandparent and dear friend who will be missed very much and celebrated often.

A celebration of his life will be held Wednesday, May 27, 2015 at 2:30 PM at The Lodge at Sea Island.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Hospice of the Golden Isles or any of his favorite charities.