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George G. Nichols Missoula, MT QCWA # 18875 Chapter 104 |
In the morning hours of Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017, George Grundy Nichols passed peacefully from this earthly world; to finally join JoAnn in the glory of God's Kingdom. Surrounded by family at home on Sky Ridge Drive in Hamilton, George had only recently succumbed to the reality of rapidly failing health. Blessed by the unwavering presence and welcome assistance of daughter Heather, he seemed to savor these final months under her gentle care; in complete catered comfort.
Joining the family along with older sister Jean, George was born at home to Fladys and Grundy Nichols on may 15, 1927, in the Old Tucker House on what would become Hamilton's Grundy Lane. He reveled in a rural childhood of hard learning and harder work, engulfed by a landscape of golden gravel roads, fields of fenced beef, and magnificent gardens of plenty; all bathed in the blaze of the Bitterroot Valley sun.
George sold his parents' garden fresh vegetables from the back of his bicycle throughout elementary school, before graduating to the back of Grundy's Model T' and ultimately graduating from Hamilton High School in 1945. Within hours of shedding his cap and gown, George successfully enlisted in the U.S. Navy and almost immediately shipped out to Basic Training in San Diego. Soon stationed in Norfolk, VA, he served in thee Navy's Fire Crew Division for extended training as a Refrigeration Specialist before joining 2,499 other crew on board the USS Wisconsin BB64; one of the first big-gun Iowa Class Battleships of World War II. Sailing throughout the equatorial zones in 1945-46, George learned much during his months at sea; mostly how to deal with the extreme boredom of everyday life onboard ship. Bad. Dirty. Jokes.
An Honorable Discharge in July 1946 brought him back to his beloved Bitterroot Valley, where he soon began traversing the two-lane between Hamilton and Missoula as a short haul freight truck driver. Tiring of the lonely roads, George was moved to attend plumbing school in Kansas City, Missouri, and for several years thrived in an intense hands-on environment of productive learning. Longing again brought him back to The Big Sky, where he learned of opportunities within the U.S. Postal service. Taking advantage, he began his career as a letter carrier in Hamilton, before finally moving to Missoula for his final 32 years; retiring from service on the precise occasion of his 55th birthday.
A chance encounter during a local dance in the summer of 1952 introduced George to a nifty little red-headed beauty named JoAnn Lee. Their very first date was inclusive of, if not overshadowed by; the presence of JoAnn's mom, the inimitable and always elegant Roberta A. Lee, who chose to chaperone the entire date... start to finish. As apparent beneficiaries of mutual acceptance, their relationship blossomed into a marriage lasting almost 50 years; until JoAnn's death in 2003, and they raised five wonderful children.
In 2005, George met and married the late, but forever gracious; Ms. Pattie Hodge. Their short time together was marked by a strong affection for each other, the enjoyment of open road travel, and a shared love of old time music. 'Accordion' to George, she was quite the catch. Dear Pattie passed away quite unexpectedly Feb 16, 2007.
George was truly a jack-of-all...master-of-none. A Ham Radio operator for over 70 years and involved forever with the Glacier-Waterton Ham-Fest; he founded the Bitterroot valley Ham Radio Club...W7IOJ has signed off. Longtime member and past president of the Five valley Accordion Club...his accordion now silent. Vital in the construction of Front Street Theater in Missoula and transforming Canyon Creek School for The Hamilton Players...his tools now quiet. Scoutmaster, power hiker, urban junk farmer, radio man, handy helper, and terrible teller of terrible jokes...his absence conspicuous. We miss you, Dad.
Predeceased by parents Grundy and Gladys Nichols and sister Jewel Jean Coultas; George is survived by his five children and families.