Michael D Nichols' Obituary
Michael David Nichols (Dave) left us on July 16, 2015 after a long battle with cancer. He is survived by wife Joyce, son Dan Nichols (Reno, NV) and daughter Pegge Nichols Peter (Sao Palo Brazil), brothers Terry Nichols (Redding, CA) and Harold Nichols (Tacoma, WA), sisters Laura Lloyd (Reno, NV) and Sandy Murphy (Redding, CA), and four grandchildren. He is predeceased by brother Pat Nichols.
Dave was born on June 11, 1942 in Astoria, OR to Cleo Dumont Nichols and Duane Ellsworth Nichols. Dave was the first of 6 children. The family eventually settled in the Bay Area where his father worked for the railroad. He attended Amador and Logan High School in Pleasanton where he graduated in 1960.
One of Daves' favorite pastimes was riding dirt-bikes. Dave enjoyed participating in Enduros with friends and family, including involving his son and daughter at an early age.
Dave began helping out on a dairy farm during high school. His work career included being an apprentice mechanic, working at Lockheed and Coca Cola (Production Superintendent), 0wner Operator/freight, and currently Owner Operator with Quality Transport where he has been for the past 20+ years in Tacoma.
Dave and Joyce were married in Pleasanton, Ca on December 18, 1993, shortly after moving to Tacoma. Dave has loved the northwest ever since he spent a few summers here as a child, at his grandmothers. Tacoma is where Dave and Joyce delved into a 3 year remodeling project on their own home, where they have enjoyed 2 acres, lots of roses, vegetable gardening, a work shop, happy dogs and hot rods.
From an early age Dave was compelled to know how things worked. His love for all things that had a motor was evident. Cars, trucks, trains, motorcycles and even manufacturing equipment was a world of challenge for Dave; determined to make things run more efficiently, faster and fun! He was a great fabricator and problem solver.
What’s your fondest memory of Michael?
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Share a story where Michael's kindness touched your heart.
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