He was born in Clifty, Tennessee and grew up in Cowan, Tennessee and Jamestown, Tennessee. Donald graduated from Alvin York High School in Jamestown in 1942. He served in the United States Marine Corps during World War II and was called back in to serve during the Korean War. He earned a pilot’s license and enjoyed flying. Donald graduated from Jones College with a business degree. He retired from CSX in 1984. For many years he was a member of St. Johns Park Baptist Church where he taught the Senior Adult Sunday School class and was in the choir, and was later a member of Ortega Baptist Church.
He was predeceased by his wife Marilyn Nichols after 70 years of marriage. Donald is survived by daughters Donna Furman of Jacksonville, FL and Lynn Tillman (Jeff) of Valdosta, GA, and his son Webb Nichols (Jean), grandchildren Andrew Furman (Christina) of Jacksonville, FL, Sarah Tillman and Seth Tillman of Valdosta, GA.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida.
