Alfred Bailey Nichols, lovingly known as “Honey” was born October 22, 1930 in Fort Worth, TX to Alfred Boulware Nichols and Mary Bethel Jones. Al grew up during the depression and learned the value of hard work and the love of family and friends over possessions. Al loved the Lord from an early age. He grew tall and lean, a proud Texan. Al attended Polytechnic High School in Fort Worth where he was on the Shooting Team that won the National Championship.
He enrolled at Texas A&M in the class of 1952. He embraced the Aggie Spirit and remained a loyal fan throughout his life. While attending A&M, he met the love of his life, Della Ann Young. He interrupted his college education to join in the U.S. Army. He was selected to attend OCS and left the Army as a First Lieutenant. While in the Army, Al married Della on August 8, 1952. He left the Army in 1954 to return to his beloved Texas A&M and graduated with a Petroleum Engineering degree in 1957.
Following graduation, he joined Gulf Oil and had a long career as a petroleum engineer which included management positions in south Texas, south Louisiana and Angola Africa. During his 6 years in Angola, Al voluntarily took on an additional position as missionary. He took and distributed over 1000 Bibles in Angola and helped build churches. He was also instrumental in helping continue the missionary group that drilled water wells for Angolans. He retired after 28 years of service. Al and Della retired in College Station so they could enjoy all things Aggie.
While still in the Army, Al and Della began a family with the birth of their first daughter Carrie Ann, followed by a son, A.B. Nichols, Jr. (Nick). Soon the family expanded to include daughters, Sally Diane and Peggy Elaine. Al and Della formed a powerful team raising their children to love the Lord, respect their elders, work hard and have fun. The family loved camping, backpacking, boating, skiing, scouting, and a general love of the outdoors.
He was a respected member and driving force at Aldersgate United Methodist Church. He was also active in The Gideons International and served on the Board of Administrators for Save Our Streets Ministries (SOS). Al served on the Aldersgate Church Council and he also dedicated his time and expertise to maintaining the church properties. Whether he was handing out Bibles on the A&M campus or in Angola, Africa, nothing made Al happier than sharing his faith in the Lord.
Al served the community as Precinct 27 Election Clerk and later as Election Judge for many years. He also served as Bailiff for the Brazos County Grand Jury, and served on the Grand Jury.
After his work with the church, Al’s passion was woodworking. His pride and joy was the large shop he designed and built himself. He shared his love of woodworking with his son and grandsons. Whether it was a beautiful pen turned on his lathe or a large piece of furniture, he became an expert woodworker. His family was always excited to receive a gift he had made for them in his shop.
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