John Albert Nichols, 83, a resident of Sedro-Woolley, passed away at his home on Monday, July 25, 2011, surrounded by his family.

John was the son of Albert H. & Grace (Dunham) Nichols and was born on May 20, 1928, in Ipswich, Massachusetts, but was raised in Waltham, Massachusetts, where in 1943 he was a running back on his high school’s state championship football team.

In 1945, John enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he served in the South Pacific, Japan, and China aboard the U.S.S. Andromeda.  While stationed in Seattle, he married Betty Jo Megonnigil on Christmas Eve 1948.  After his discharge in 1949, they made their home in Seattle, moving to the Wallingford District in 1955.  In the 1960’s, he volunteered as a Little League Baseball coach for several years while his sons were playing ball.

John worked as a special delivery messenger for the U.S. Postal Service in Seattle for over 30 years and was the first to be awarded a citation for driving over one million accident-free miles.

After his retirement in 1982, he and Betty Jo moved to Snohomish where he was active in both the American Legion and the VFW, where he was a life member.  They moved to Sedro-Woolley in 2008 to be near their family.

John was an avid golfer and enjoyed fishing, gardening, and landscaping around his home.

John is survived by his wife of 63 years, Betty Jo; son Michael Nichols and fiancée, Darlene Wenrick; son David Nichols and companion, Cheryl Greaver, all of Sedro-Woolley; three grandchildren, Eric, Jennifer, and Davey Nichols; two great-grandchildren, Alex & Conner Townsend; sister-in-law, Kitty Megonnigil; brother-in-law, John Megonnigil (Edna); and numerous nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert & Grace Nichols; sister, Pearl Blaney; and brother, Richard Nichols.

A private family service with Military Honors will be held at a later time.  Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley.