In Memory

Donnie Nichols - Class Of 1956

Donnie Nichols

Donald Edward Nichols, 84, of Georgetown, Texas, died peacefully on October 30, 2022. He was born in Parkersburg, Richland County, Illinois on December 31, 1937 and was the son of Cecil Robert Nichols and Waneta Grace Nichols.

Donald graduated from Richland County High School, located in Olney, Illinois, in 1956. He joined the U.S. Army on February 1, 1957 and was stationed with Headquarters, U.S. Army Security Agency (the precursor to the National Security Agency) at Fort Kobbe, Panama Canal Zone until he was discharged on January 22, 1960. Donald earned an Army Good Conduct Medal while in the Army.

Donald married Beverly Anne McDonald of Olney, Illinois on March 4, 1960. Their son, Steven Wayne Nichols, was born on February 1, 1962. Donald joined the U.S. Air Force on September 28, 1962. Donald's daughter, Lisa Michelle Nichols, was born on September 4, 1970 while he was stationed in the Panama Canal Zone.
During his service in the U.S. Air Force, Donald served as a career non-commissioned officer and a ground radio communications technician. He was stationed with the Military Air Transport Services at Scott AFB, Illinois; Air Force Communications Command at Taipei Air Station, Taiwan (Republic of China); Strategic Air Command at Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota; Pacific Air Forces at Korat Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand; Aerospace Defense Command at NAS Key West, Florida; Pacific Air Forces at Camp Red Cloud, Republic of Korea; Tactical Air Command at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico; and the Air Force Communications Command at Kelly AFB, Texas. Donald retired from
the Air Force on June 30, 1980.
Donald received three Air Force Commendation Medals, five Air Force Longevity Service Awards, National Defense Medal, Small Arms Expert Marksman Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and an Air Force Outstanding Unit Medal. He earned the U.S. Air Force Missile Maintenance Badge while supporting a Strategic Air Command Minuteman III strategic missile wing.

Donald worked for the Department of Air Force for 15 years as a civilian electronic systems technician and the Air Force Logistics Command (AFLC) at Kelly AFB, Texas. During his service with the AFLC, he developed electronic testing systems manuals for both the C-5A/B Galaxy and C-17A Globemaster III strategic transports.

Donald married Geraldine (Gerrie) F. Stephenson (Fraser) on November 22, 1985 in San Antonio, Texas. Geraldine and Donald were together for 40 years and married for 37 years. They met while working part-time for Sears.

Donald retired from Air Force civil service in September 1999. He retired with his wife Gerrie to their property outside of Georgetown, Texas. Donald was very proud of their property where they had a large garden, herb garden, a tree orchid, chickens, and guineafowls.

Donald was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle. He leaves behind his wife Gerrie of Georgetown, Texas; son Steven and his wife Kathryn of Round Rock, Texas; daughter Lisa of Hutto, Texas; granddaughter Samantha Nichols Espinoza and her husband Aaron of Houston, Texas; stepdaughter Deborah Schwausch and her husband Ricky of Georgetown; Texas; stepson Randall Stephenson of Georgetown; step granddaughter Amber Salazar and her husband Steve of Round Rock, Texas; step grandson TJ Lierman of Houston, Texas; step granddaughter Renee Wilson and her husband Bradley of Fort Riley, Kansas; brother Robert Nichols of Browns, Illinois; brother Bill Nichols and his wife Carolyn of Albion, Illinois; and sister Lorena Lame of Parkersburg, Illinois. Donald is also step great grandfather to Grace, Addison, Katelyn and Kolton. He is also survived by many nephews, nieces, and his great-great step granddaughter Meadow.

Donald was preceded in death by his father Cecil Robert Nichols, his mother Waneta Grace Nichols, sister Judy Howser, brother Jerry, and brothers-in-law Clarence Lame and Dan Howser.

A Graveside service with military honors held at the Central Texas State Veteran Cemetery, Killeen, TX

Ramsey Funeral Home, Georgetown, TX