Charles E. Nichols

Charles Nichols was born in Shelbyville, Missouri on September 3, 1917 and after a long and active life died May 30, 2011. He moved to Princeton (MO) and graduated from high school in 1937. In his youth, Charlie loved to play various musical instruments, especially the trumpet.

He sang with the popular Greenhill Quartet. In 1938, he joined his brother Dick in Houston and for the next four years worked at Mrs. Baird’s Bakery.

Charlie learned to weld, which inspired him to open and operate the C. E. Nichols Welding Service for a number of years.

He was devoted to his late son, Ricky who had cerebral palsy. Ricky’s love of bowling inspired Charlie to invent a metal device that allowed Ricky and friends to bowl despite their physical limitations. This same inventive talent which helped him to visualize and shape stainless steel spurred him into other artistic pursuits in several visual media, all self taught Charlie painted for decades delighting Family and friends with beautiful pictures. He volunteered for years at MAM. During this time he painted a mural at First Christian Church in Spring Branch. After the death of his son and his first wife, Ruby, through his love of square dancing he met Dora Mae and the two fell in love. They shared more than twenty years of happiness together. Charlie and Dora entertained with their square dancing group, traveled and welcomed their extended family for many happy get-togethers.

Charlie is survived by wife, Dora Scott-Nichols: children William H. Scott and wife Joan, Carl W. Scott and wife Livia, Dorothea Fundling and husband Craig, and Stefanie Scott and fiancé Rick Chumly; grandchildren: Dr. Kelly Scott Birt and husband Bradley, Amanda Scott, Timothy Sutton and wife Susan, David Scott, Sarah Scott, Scott Fundling and Abigail Fundling. He is survived by a sister, Betty Thogmmartin and nieces and nephews in Missouri.

Funeral services will be Thursday, June 2, 2011 at 10:00 AM at Forest Park Funeral Home, 6200 Lawndale, Houston. The family ask donations be made to Texas Retired Teachers Foundation, 313E. 12th Street, Suite 250, Austin, Texas 78701-1956, attention Helping Hands.