Richard Nichols Obituary

Richard Arden Nichols May 19, 1945 - March 19, 2025 Dick Nichols, 79, passed away peacefully Wednesday, March 19, 2025, in Houston with his wife and children at his side. He was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota to John D. Nichols and Rosabelle Margaret "Peggy" Gross Nichols. He grew up in Breckenridge with his sisters Barbara and Sharon. He developed a work ethic early in life, delivering newspapers door-to-door on his bicycle. He met his future wife Noel Fry in elementary school, and they later became high school sweethearts.

Dick proudly served in the Vietnam War, and upon his honorable discharge, he married Noel Fry on Feb. 1, 1969, at Palmer Methodist Church in Palmer. He graduated from the University of Texas and began his long career as a CPA. Dick and Noel lived in Dallas until his career path took them to Houston. They welcomed their first child, Patrick, in 1974, followed by daughter, Kristen, in 1978. A golf enthusiast, and a lover of sports and of cars. Intellectually curious, he was an avid reader and always eager to discuss the latest issue or subject matter he had read about.

Dick was a devoted family man. He always had time to play a game of catch, even after a long day at work. He coached little league and softball teams. On weekends, he would smell of freshly cut grass, from mowing and fertilizing his lawn, or playing rounds on the golf course. His patient nature was evident from his meticulously gluing shingles one by one on a custom dollhouse for his daughter and to his many hours holding a fishing pole. He holds the record for the largest bass caught at the family hunting camp.

A detail-oriented man, he loved numbers, whether it was managing financial statements, or collecting baseball cards and coins with his children and grandchildren. Dick was a huge sports fan, watching everything from professional bowling to high school football games. His favorite sporting events to watch, however, were those of his children and grandchildren; and when his health no longer allowed him to attend in person, he followed via apps and webcams.

A lifelong CPA, Dick found lasting friendships in his colleagues. He enjoyed engaging with and befriending anyone from the janitor to the CEO. He retired as Controller for Gulf Coast Auto dealership in Angleton. There, he supervised a group of ladies who fondly referred to themselves as "Dick's Chicks." An apt finish to his career, this job married his love for accounting and finance with his love for cars.

Dick was preceded in death by both of his parents; and brother, John Carl Nichols.

Those left to mourn his loss and cherish his memory are sisters, Barbara Nichols and Sharon Pendleton (Rick) of Breckenridge; his wife of 56 years, Noel Nichols of Houston; son, Patrick Nichols (Claire) of Reno, Nevada; daughter, Kristen McDaniel (Steve) of Houston; and his five grandchildren, Ryan Nichols, William McDaniel, Celeste Nichols, Tristan Nichols, and Kiera Nichols.

Visitation was held Wednesday, April 2, at the Veterans Funeral Services funeral home in Houston. Military Honors were presented immediately following at the Houston National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation, the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, or the Graeme McDaniel Foundation.