Birth date: May 28, 1940 Death date: Oct 19, 2011
Mr. Samuel Irving Nichols, Jr., 71 of Lansdowne, Virginia passed away on Wednesday, October 19, 2011. Sam was born May 28, 1940 in Norfolk, Virginia. He was a son of the late Samuel Nichols, Sr. and the late Jeanne Marie Hill Nic Read Obituary
I will never forget when his father Dr. Sam Nichols Sr passed away and Sam Jr held me in his arms and allowed me to shed my tears over the loss of his father. He had seen me at the casket and although I had never met Sam Jr before, he walked up to me, wrapped his arms around me and said to me..." let's cry together". I will never forget that night because as I lost a Doctor...I gained a friend. 7 years later...I still miss my friend.
Dear Family and Friends of Sam Nichols:
I first met Sam in June, 1977, when Sam just became the manager of Lake Fairfax Park, run by the Fairfax County Park Authority. I was 20 at the time and a seasonal park technician at the park working the entrance station collecting entrance fees and registering campers from all over the country. Sam would become one of the most infuential persons in my park service career. He introduced me to so many aspects of running a park. While working at night it would not be unusual to see Sam chasing and catching teenages from Reston who were stealing from campers. After three of us were held up at gunpoint during a robbery of the entrance station, Sam decided to give me an opportunity to try some different work in the park. He wanted me to become a lifeguard. "But Sam, I can barely swim. I flunked out of Boy Scouts because I could not swim." Sam's "compassionate" reply was "Training starts Monday night after work-be there!" I barely passed the course and ended up having to make two rescues the first week. But that experience thrown upon me by Sam greatly improved the self confidence of this 20 year old. From that experience I went on to become an emergency medical technician, firefighter, swiftwater/high angle rescue technician, and national park ranger. While working for Sam, he also provided me with the "great " experience of cleaning the dirtiest toilets, bath houses, and picnic areas. It left me with a great admiration for those workers in our society who do this type of work every day for 30 years.
I am deeply indebted to Sam for what he saw in me and the direction he provided in my work life.
Rest peacefully Sam and God Bless You.
Einar Olsen
Assistant Regional Director-Operations Evaluation, National Capital Region,
National Park Service##imported-begin##Einar Olsen##imported-end##
Our sincere condolences for your loss. Thoughts and prayers are with you at this most sad time. May God welcome Sam and Gale, and comfort all of you. Sincerely, Joyce and Craig##imported-begin##Joyce Shealy & Craig Alderman##imported-end##
Jim and Family,
My sympathy is with you at this time. I wish you peace.##imported-begin##David Wyrick##imported-end##
I am very sorry to hear about your lose Jim, Please know you and your family are in my thoughts.##imported-begin##R. Sheri Nodine##imported-end##
I count myself among the lucky to have worked alongside both Sam & Jim during my career. Our thoughts & prayers are with Jim and the entire Nichols family at this time.##imported-begin##Dennis & Sharon Hubscher##imported-end##
Shirley and I wish to extend our sincere sympathy to all the members of the family on this sad occasion. As next
door neighbors Sam and Gale could not
have been any better. We will miss them as well as our chats with Sam when he stopped to visit or we met in the hallway or garage.##imported-begin##Shirley & Lou Gros Louis, #1120, Blue Ridge##imported-end##
Dear Suzie:
Please accept my condolences on the loss of your parents.##imported-begin##Mary Felter##imported-end##
I worked with Sam at Wolf Trap in the early '90s and remeber him fondly. He always listened intently and provided well thought our advice in an encouraging way.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.##imported-begin##Brian Carlstrom##imported-end##
I worked with Sam at Wolf Trap. Sorry for the family loss.##imported-begin##Gordon F. Johnson##imported-end##
