David Jackson Nichols

David Jackson Nichols, 76, of Forest Chapel, passed away Friday, Feb. 22, 2019, at his home with his family by his side.The family will schedule a memorial service at a later date. Cremation was under the care and direction of Bright-Holland Funeral Home.

David, the son of Frank Edward Nichols and Effie Mae Martin Nichols, was born Feb. 7, 1943, in Roanoke, VA. He attended school in Roanoke and at the age of sixteen joined the Army Reserve and continued his education. At the age of eighteen he joined the regular Army Aviation, retiring after twenty-three years of service to his country. He received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal W/3 Bronze Stars, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry W/Palm (Unit), Army Commendation Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Meritorious Unit Citation, Air Medal W/1st Oak Leaf Cluster, Senior Aircraft Crewman Badge, Good Conduct Medal (6th Award), and the Overseas Service Ribbon. David was a member of the Paris VFW where he was commander for four years. He served as the state inspector for the Texas State VFW and for the past three years has been on budget and finance for the state. He was a VFW Legacy Life Member. David was very active in the Kiwanis Club and was their president last year. Since 2007, he has been known as the Sausage Shack Man for the Kiwanis’ Pancake Days. He was a member of the Eagles Lodge where he made sure people who requested them received food baskets. Since 2008, he and his wife, Billie, have read to the students in Pre-K and Kindergarten at Trinity Christian Academy. He was a member of AMVETS, DAV, American Legion and the Vietnam Veterans Association.

David was a huge advocate for animals and took in countless animals of all kinds that needed a home. The family requests that memorials be made to the Lamar County Humane Association, P. O. Box 8, Paris, TX 75461.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a grandson, Cameron Joseph Boyer, and a brother, Frank Edward Nichols, Jr.

Survivors include his wife, Billie Joyce Helton Nichols, whom he married on Sept. 15, 1962, building fifty-six years of family and memories. Four daughters; Sherry Lynn Boyer and husband Brian of Anna, Theresa Wynn Brown of Oakland, CA, Tammy Sue Nichols of Forest Chapel and Davelyn J. Halloran of West Tawakoni, grandchildren; Brian Keith Boyer, Chelsilyn Nicole Ivey & husband Cliff, Michael Brown, David Brown, Timothy Brown, Nicholas Brown, Leah Nicole Costa, Meghan Renee Gullick, Andrew Sunner, and Ciara Nichole Halloran, twelve great grandchildren, one sister, Shelby Diane Bechtler of Bellaire, MD, along with several nieces & nephews and a host of friends.