Ralph Nichols Sr.

Ralph E. Nichols Sr. CHESAPEAKE - Ralph Eugene Nichols Sr., 89, of Butterfly Drive in Chesapeake, went to be with our Lord, June 9, 2010. He was a profoundly good Christian man with a gentle and caring personality. He displayed courage during his final days as he struggled with his illness. He loved his family and especially his wife Margaret, whom he was married to for 63 years. He would often call her "a wonderful little lady." Born Oct. 23, 1920 in a farm house on Johnstown Road in Great Bridge, he was the son of the late Leonard Wellons Nichols and Minerva Elizabeth Munden Nichols. He was predeceased by the love of his life, Margaret Williamson Nichols and his sisters and brothers. Mr. Nichols was an Army Air Force veteran of World War II. Mr. Nichols was a charter member of Great Bridge United Methodist Church. He taught an adult Sunday school class for many years, served as chairman of the administrative board, Norfolk district treasurer for 25 years, receiving the Man of the Year Award, and he served as president of the Methodist Men both in the church and at the district level. A graduate of Great Bridge High School, he was a member of the first football team at the school. He was a graduate of The College of William and Mary. He worked at NASA Langley, Virginia. He retired from the Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk District, Fort Norfolk. He was a member and treasurer of the East Camp of Gideons International. Mr. Nichols was a man of great faith and had a willingness to serve in many areas throughout his life. He was a life member of American Legion Post 280, life member of the Great Bridge Masonic Lodge No. 257 and the Khedive Shrine Temple, Scottish Rite Bodies, president of the Great Bridge Ruritan Club, and lieutenant governor for the Ruritan National. Mr. Nichols served on the Jail Ministry Board. He was a trustee and president for Virginia Methodist Children's Home. He served on the Board of Trustees of Virginia Wesleyan College and Ferrum College. Mr. Nichols loved sports and wanted to be a professional baseball player, but instead was an amazing softball pitcher playing well into his early seventies with players that included teenagers. He loved running and ran competitively into his early seventies. He won many long distance running awards including fourth place in the Shamrock Marathon. Survivors include his loving daughter, Margaret N. "Peggy" Lancaster and husband John; a son, Ralph E. Nichols Jr. and wife Sharon; five grandchildren, Christine Harris and husband Benjamin, Craig Kocen and wife Jennifer, Brandon Nichols, Kaylee Nichols, Ashley Nichols; two great-grandchildren, Craig "C.J." Kocen and Jenna Kocen; as well as his sister Marie N. Halstead. The funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, June 11, at Great Bridge United Methodist Church. The Rev. Danny Kesner will officiate. The interment will follow in Chesapeake Memorial Gardens. There will be no viewing. The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m. prior to the service at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to Great Bridge United Methodist Women, Margaret Nichols Mission Scholarship, 201 Stadium Drive, Chesapeake, VA 23322 or The Gideons International, P.O. Box 1102, Chesapeake, VA 23327. Arrangements are under the care and direction of the Great Bridge Chapel of Oman Funeral Home & Crematory, 653 Cedar Road, Chesapeake. Friends are invited to sign the guest book and send condolences at www.omanfh.com.