Gerald Roger Nichols, Sr

GERALD ROGER NICHOLS, SR.
Gerald Roger Nichols, Sr., 88, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 13th, 2013 of natural causes.
Gerald was born on March 14, 1924 in Stevensville, MT, to Charles and Lucille Nichols. As a young man he grew up fishing and hunting in the Bitterroot Valley and said he was the only kid in Stevensville with a pair of hip waders. Growing up during the Depression Era were hard times. He went to school in Stevensville and played basketball for the Yellow Jackets. At the age of 18 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served his country for 6 years during WWII. He served on 3 ships; the U.S.S. Frankford, the U.S.S. Yellowstone, and the U.S.S. Duncan.
Gerald Nichols, S1c was stationed on The U.S.S. Frankford or "The Hot Dog" as she was known, during the invasion at Normandy, D-Day, June 6, 1944, and again in Southern France. The Hot Dog and her crew played a significant role in the defeat of the Germans in WWII.
After an Honorable Discharge from the U.S. Navy he worked in the mountains of Western Montana and Idaho building logging roads and spent many years living in the logging camps that sprung up around the area. The logging camps were small communities where people lived, worked, and played and he spent his life doing just that. He knew the value of the resources in the mountains and shared them with his family.
He rescued many baby chipmunks and squirrels and gave them run of the whole back porch which included a 2 story cage complete with running wheel. Of course they loved peanuts and would crawl up dad's leg and get them out of his pocket.
Dad enjoyed camping, "crick" fishin', hunting, gardening, gettin' wood, the roar of a cracklin' fire, and watching the deer and elk from his porch. He's the only guy I know who shot an elk from his front porch in his slippers. (You figure out who had the slippers).
His pride and joy were his children and grandchildren, teaching them to be good sportsmen as they learned to fish and hunt. He taught by example and his blackboard was the forest, river, stream and sky. We will miss him.
He married Billie J. Albert in 1946 and together they had 5 children. Gerald then married Hiroko T. Toh on April 15, 1978 and they spent the last 35 years together in Western Montana.
He was preceded in death by his mother and father, brothers; Bill and Robert, and sisters, Maxine and Julianne.
Gerald is survived by his wife, Hiroko T. Nichols; sons Jerry Nichols, Jr. (Pat) of Superior; Jim Nichols (Teresa); Jay Nichols (Maureen); both of Missoula; daughters Jolene Conat (Art) Wenatchee, WA; Jeannie Jeffery, HI; daughter-in-law Audrey Nichols of Missoula; grandchildren; Brandi Nichols, Cale Nichols both of Missoula; Josh Nichols (Tyrell) of Duluth GA; Lexie Hickey (Colin) of East Missoula; Jamie Denman of Missoula; Meagan Huber (Brandon) of Ellensburg, WA, JC Heisdorf (Alysia) of Missoula; Lindsay Lee (Chris) of Missoula; 10 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank Laurel Chambers, PA-C, nurses Casey & Lisa, and the rest of the nursing staff of Mineral Community Hospital in Superior who took such excellent care of dad. Their care and compassion aided each of us during this very difficult time.
A memorial service for Gerald will be held at 12:00 (Noon) on Saturday MARCH 30, 2013, at Sunset Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, followed by interment with military honors. Memorials may be sent to the charity of your choice.
Condolences may be sent to Sunset Memorial Gardens at www.missoulafuneralhomes.com

Read Gerald Nichols, Sr's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.