Charles Franklin Nicholas

Charles Franklin Nicholas, born the twenty seventh of November, nineteen forty-seven in Leesville, Louisiana, transitioned at six twenty-one in the morning on Tuesday, March twenty-second at the Hospice of East Texas. He is survived by his wife, Debbie Ann-Adams Nicholas and their son, Lewis Braxton Nicholas in addition to his two other sons, Paul Russell Nicholas II and Charles Jason Nicholas.

Charles' father, Paul Russell Nicholas, was born in Lawton, Oklahoma. His mother was Beatrice Lean Petree, born in Pickering, Lousiana. Charles had three brothers and two sisters whom he had survived.

Charles was an accomplished automobile painter, beginning his career at the early age of sixteen in San Francisco, California. He relocated a handful of times before settling in East Texas with his family. Charles worked for Davis and Green Paint and Body for the majority of his career in Tyler, and found himself at last with Caliber Collision, where he would work until his passing.

Despite a love for automobiles, motorcycles were always a big part of Charles' interests, of which he owned multiple over the course of his life! Because of the nature of his work, he had owned nearly every automobile on the market for a time when he was in the thick of doing custom automotive work. It was not uncommon to hear him exclaim "I used to have that car!"

Charles had a genuine heart that extended not only to people, but to animals especially. He was always prepared to rescue any creature that might be in distress, and assist in finding a home for them if necessary.

Music was important to Charles; he had an ear for good music and could recall almost any artist and song from his youth.

Charles was a noble and resilient soul who spoke with uncensored intention. His beliefs

were firmly cemented in his uncompromising words and actions. Charles was the sort of man to truly give another the shirt off of his back if necessary; he never asked for favors or assistance, but freely volunteering one's time and energy was regarded highly with him; he never forgot a sincere gesture.

Charles served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War from June twenty-six, nineteen sixty-eight until July seventeenth, nineteen seventy whereupon he was honorably discharged.

Charles was a deeply devoted and loving husband of thirty-nine years, and a father that any child would be honored to call their own. Rare is the essence of being that encapsulated what this man genuinely embodied. We ask for safe passage and soaring adventures during this next phase. He will be missed immeasurably.

A Memorial service to commorate Charles’ life will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, April 1, 2022 at Lloyd James Funeral Home with Rev. Chuck Ward officiating. Inurnment will be Cathedral in the Pines Cemetery.