Henry Harvey Nichols

Henry Harvey Nichols, 77, of St. Vincent, West Indies, transitioned from labor to rest on June 13, 2014 at his home in Garland, Texas.

On November 29th 1961, he married Louise Gibson and to this union four children were born. Henry is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years Dovie Louise Nichols. His children are Wanda Gibson-Gooding, Verrol Nichols, Samuel Nichols and Joan Nichols. He is also survived by his very special niece Celia Gibson, son-in-law Alphonso (Tewe) Gooding and daughter-in-law Parvine Nichols. Grandchildren include Ronnal, Chiara, Darani, Valarian and Jared, and great-grandchildren include Payton, Tayvien, Madison, Cadence, Rylen and Eastyn. Brother Bill and Sisters Annette, Yvonne, Rosalind, and stepsister Shirley survive him. Additionally, he is survived by a host of nieces and nephews, including Terry and Yvonne Harris, other relatives, and friends.

On a brilliant, sunny day with the aquamarine sea hitting the beautiful shores of St. Vincent, Henry Harvey Nichols was born to Claude and Iona Nichols on April 27, 1937. His early life was filled with family and happiness and Henry went to Gomea Primary School in St. Vincent. The rest of his education was well earned in the “School and University of Life.” He worked as a farmer in St. Vincent before moving to Bequia. In his beloved new home of Bequia, he applied himself for 14 years in different employments: he became a trusted general store manager, a joyful taxi driver, and a dedicated and lively tour guide. Caring deeply about the community which meant so much to him, Henry worked tirelessly to improve his small community of Bequia by volunteering his services and donating assets---a prime example of this generosity is his contributing to the building of a new and better high school to meet the population explosion, a high school where his own children were eventually educated. Numerous were the instances where Henry Nichols used his “gift of the gab” to protect others. For example, a riot sprung up on the south side of the Island, trapping members of law enforcement. While others thought it too risky to intervene, Henry made contact with the community leaders and safely extracted the personnel without incident. His way with words had helped bring calm to a dangerous situation. Henry was the 1st to be contacted when there was a crisis; whether it was in arranging medical transportation or the trucking of water to those who had none, Henry was instrumental in helping others get what was vitally needed. His charitable nature was recognized and appreciated; he was a civic leader in his beloved Bequia.

In 1978, a reporter came to Bequia to gather information on vacationing there. Who better to provide a tour than someone who loved everything about his beloved Bequia than Henry Nichols? The experience was so memorable that the reporter ended up writing an article entitled “Barefoot Taxi Driver”--- all about Henry. Henry’s work attire was shorts and a Hawaiian shirt, but no shoes. Why no shoes? Because he felt shoes got in his way when climbing to see Petroglyphs in small caves or snorkeling along Bequia’s north shore as part of his 10-hour tour on a 7 square-mile island. Henry relished and enjoyed history and biographies, sailing, fishing, snorkeling, bike riding, and the outdoors. He was the epitome of a well-rounded Bequia citizen!

Henry Nichols migrated to Texas in 1979, where he worked at various occupations, always putting his heart into whatever he did. He continued to be civic-minded while playing an integral, loving, and respected role in the lives of his treasured grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Loving life and living life fully, it can be truthfully said of Henry that he never met a stranger, only someone he had yet to greet.

Henry is preceded in death by his parents Claude and Ionie Nichols and his stepmother Miriam (Tanty) and by brothers Clive, Carl, Lloyd, and Leroy, sisters Joy and Lydia, and by grandchild Jason Gibson.

Visitation will be held at the Gonzalez Funeral Home, 1111 Military Parkway, Mesquite, Texas on June 18, 2014 at 6:00-8:00 p.m.

The funeral service will be held at Gospel Hall Church in St. Vincent, West Indies on June 28, 2014 at 3 p.m. with the Former Prime Minister of St. Vincent serving as eulogist. Burial will follow at Belair Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation. Condolences may be left in Henry’s online guestbook at Gonzalez Funeral Home.

May the wind always be in your sails….Pappy

His Love Remains….

Those we love remain with us for love itself lives on,

And cherished memories never fade because a loved one's gone.

Those we love can never be more than a thought apart,

For as long as there is memory, they'll live on in the heart.