More detail on this person: Donald Lee Or Don Nichols, 65 Donald Nichols Herald Democrat (Sherman, TX) - Wednesday, August 24, 2011 Edmond OK United States Donald Lee Nichols, formerly of Sherman, Texas passed away August 21, 2011 at the age of 65 at his home in Edmond, Oklahoma. Don was born to his mother and father Opal and Holmes Nichols in Sherman on November 17, 1945. He was raised in Sherman and attended Sherman schools. He was a graduate of East Texas State University in Commerce, Texas and received his master's degree from Southeastern Oklahoma State University. Don joined the Marine Corps and graduated from Officer Candidate School as a first lieutenant in 1969. He became a helicopter pilot at Fort Wolters, Mineral Wells, Texas. Don served his country in Vietnam with the 1st Air Wing, Squadron HMM 364 known as The Purple Foxes piloting twin rotor CH-46 helicopters. After his discharge he and his wife Linda owned and operated a Harley Davidson dealership in Odessa, Texas. Don later moved back to Sherman, where he was a Grayson County probation officer. He also served as a counselor at Grayson County College. As a member of the Oklahoma National Guard he flew Hueys and Blackhawks and supported the Drug Enforcement Agency on drug raids with the Oklahoma State Drug Unit. As a member of the Oklahoma Air National Guard he flew fixed wing Sherpa C-23A's before retiring from service. After his military career, he flew EC-130 helicopters for OU Medical Center as a Medivac pilot. Don was a member of Central Christian Church in Sherman, the Vietnam Helicopters Association, and Travis Street Masonic Lodge #117 A.F and A.M. in Sherman. He is survived by his parents, Opal and Holmes Nichols of Denison, son Brian Nichols of Sherman, daughter Khristy Taylor and husband Jimmy of Gunter, grandsons Houston and Hunter Pokorny, Jared Taylor, Austin Nichols, Travis Nichols and granddaughter Kenzie Taylor. He is also survived by his brother, James Nichols and wife Karma of Van Alstyne, their daughter Alicia Nichols, his Uncle Don Nichols and wife Robbie, cousins Nicky and John Steven, and Aunt Eleanor Mullins of Southmayd, Texas. Don is also survived by his loving and faithful companion, Salome Vaughan of Edmond, Oklahoma and many friends in both Texas and Oklahoma. Don was an avid motorcycle rider and took many family bike trips with his brother, uncle, cousins and grandsons. Dag as he was affectionately called by his grandchildren, enjoyed burying rolls of coins at Christmas, creating maps for the kids and watching them hunt and dig up the treasure. A memorial service will be held Thursday August 25 at 6 p.m., at Waldo Funeral Home, Sherman, Texas. In lieu of flowers donations can be sent in his name to Central Christian Church 401 S. Travis, Sherman, Texas 75090.
Burial information: Cremated, Ashes given to family or friend
This information was last updated 09/09/2019
Please send additions or corrections to: HQ@vhpa.org VHPA Headquarters
Return to the Helicopter Pilot DAT name list
Return to VHPA web site
Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
Copyright © 1998 - 2024 Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association