Mr. Leo Nichols

DeBerry, Tx- Funeral services celebrating the life of Leo Nichols, 88, will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 3, 2017 in the chapel of Centuries Memorial Funeral Home. Officiating will be Steve Nichols. Interment will follow at 2:30 p.m. in the Campbell Creek Cemetery in Lena, LA (Flatwoods, LA). Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, June 2, 2017 at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home.

Leo was born on January 18, 1929 as an identical twin, to parents William “Will” Daniel Nichols and Lillian Coutee Basco Nichols in Boyce, LA. He entered into eternal rest on May 27, 2017 at home surrounded by family and ready to meet his Lord and Savior. Affectionately known as Dad, Papaw, Mr. Nick or Big Leo, our hearts are broken as we say goodbye to a wonderful man. Leo married the love of his life, Helen Lee Fern Brown Nichols in 1950. Entirely devoted to his family, they felt he was the reason the sun rose every morning. Papaw was adored by his grandchildren as well as being loved and respected by numerous coworkers, neighbors and friends.

Leo worked from an early age on the farm, in a sawmill and on numerous oil rigs. He was a heavy equipment operator for H&H Contracting Co. for many years and in business for himself as Nichols Conductor Service. There is nowhere in Shreveport/Bossier you could go with him that he did not have a story about building that road or laying that foundation. He was extremely proud of building the flight line at Barksdale Air Force Base. He worked for Blazer Construction Co. until he was made to retire at the age of 80 in 2009. His skill at operating heavy equipment made him a well-known name in the pipeline community. He was initiated in 1969 to the Masonic Blue Lodge #448 and served as a past Grand Master in 1976. He was also a member of the Scottish Rites and was an El Karubah Shriner. He served as Captain of the Turks in 1980 at the Mirtha Grotto Grand Lodge. Leo has always been an avid sportsman and outdoorsman. He enjoyed gardening, cooking, raising cattle, living in the country, jitterbugging with his wife and spending time with family. His favorite sports included squirrel hunting, deer hunting and fishing.

Mr. Nichols was preceded in death by his parents, Will and Lillie; daughter, Belinda Lenae Nichols; granddaughter, Dixie Marie Nichols; daughter-in-law, Patricia Nichols; son-in-law, Alan Boyd and siblings, Mattie, Bud, Ollie, Dock, Rosa Lee, Carrie, Edna Mae, Willie, Joe, Lillie Mae, Janie, K.B., K.C., J.R., Annie, Ed Mirse Basco and Maggie Basco.

Left to cherish beautiful memories of Leo is his wife of 66 years, Helen Lee Fern Brown Nichols; children, Ronald E. Nichols and wife Martha, Barbara Nichols Foster, Carolyn Faye Nichols, Steve Nichols and wife Jeanie, Danny Nichols and Janie Nichols Jordan and husband Mark; twin brother, Cleo Nichols and wife Molly; 12 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, 7 great great grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and other extended family members.

Honoring Mr. Nichols as pallbearers will be Frank Kovac, Reese Mathews, Steve Mathews, Mark Jordan, Marc Ballenger, Jack Nichols and Will Nichols. Honorary pallbearers will be Robert Ray, Jonathan Ray, Kevin Bass, and Wes Brown.

Thoughts and prayers from Leo’s family, friends and neighbors were greatly appreciated. The outpouring of love for Leo has been overwhelming. The family would like to express their gratitude for the loving and compassionate care he received from Dr. Kamm, Dr. Boniol, Dr. Flenniken, the Lifecare staff, the Christus Cancer Treatment Center and the staff from Thompson Home Health facility, as well as, his family caregivers. Also, the family would like to thank Pastor Jeff Schreve at First Baptist Church of Texarkana for his spiritual guidance.

Please remember to hug your loved ones and tell them you love them.

Time waits for no one, so take a moment, you’ll be glad you did.

You may share words of comfort with the family by visiting www.centuriesmemorialfh.com