Obituary of Leon NICHOLS

Leon L. Nichols, 81, passed away March 29, 2006 at Lake Hills Inn nursing facility in Lake Havasu City, AZ. He was born on October 15, 1924 to Kenneth and Alice (Sterling) Nichols in Los Angeles, Ca. Leon married his best friend Joyce Brooks on April 20, 1949 in Inglewood, CA. He proudly served in the United States Naval Reserve from 1942 until 1948, transferring into the newly-formed US Air Force in 1948 until retirement in 1964. With a young family to support, he went to work for the Washington State Department of Transportation for the next 21 years. He served in both WWII and Korea, and lived with his family in Tokyo, Japan for five years.Leon loved to square dance and to travel the U.S. in his motor home, until his 27 year battle with Parkinson's disease made both activities impossible. He made stained glass candle holders and light catchers as a hobby, and he enjoyed reading his extensive collection of Military History books. Leon kept in contact with friends from his Navy and Air Force Career, as well as from the early 1940's, all of whom shared his enthusiasm for flying. He served as a Senior Aviation Historian for the South Coast Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol in Brookings, OR from 1993 - 1995, before moving to Lake Havasu in 1999. He was a member of Anacortes Lutheran Church in Anacortes, WA, Trinity Lutheran Church in Brookings, OR and Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Lake Havasu. Leon thoroughly enjoyed working with young people.Leon is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Joyce Nichols who remains at the family home in Lake Havasu; children, Christopher J. Nichols and Cynthia J. N. Biringer, both of Arlington, WA; grandchildren, Thomas Nichols of Anacortes, WA, Bobbie Jean Manning of Tennessee, Cheryl Anne Nichols of Anacortes, WA, Jessica Biringer and Justin Biringer, both of Arlington, WA; numerous great grandchildren; sister-in-law, Nancy (Charles) Salinas; one nephew and one niece.He was preceded in death by his parents, and one brother, Gene Norman Nichols.Leon was a kind and loving husband, father and grandfather, and will be greatly missed by family and friends.According to his wishes, there will be no services. Memorial donations may be made to: The Michael J. Fox Foundation For Parkinson's Research, Grand Central Station, New York, NY 10163.Thoughts and condolences may be submitted to the family at www.lietz-frazefuneralhome.comArrangements entrusted to Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home & Crematory.