Ted Nichols

Ted Nichols, passed away on April 30, 2013, in Salt Lake City, Utah due to complications from Alzheimer's. Ted was born Ted Max Nichols to Edward Albro Nichols and Mary Lorene Harvey in Los Angeles, California on May 20, 1934. When Ted was still very young, his mother separated from his father and moved to Cheyenne, Wyoming with Ted's older sister, Beverly Nichols Coles. Later, his mother married Walter Asplund who Ted always considered to be his father. Ted acquired many life-long friends in Cheyenne and thoroughly enjoyed his childhood. He was active in baseball, track, football and basketball, earning the title of "Terrible Ted" by the sportswriters of his day. He was also very active in the ROTC program in school. Ted graduated from Cheyenne High School in May of 1952 and earned a scholarship to play football at the University of Wyoming. Ted played for one year at UW. While at UW, he was president of his fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon during his senior year. He graduated in August, 1956 with a B.A. in Social Studies and a minor in P.E. He was awarded his teaching certificate and began teaching and coaching in the Wyoming High Schools. He coached football and basketball for over ten years. Ted coached at Medicine Bow, Mountain View, Sunrise, Afton and Natrona County High School in Casper. A four-year stint in El Paso, Texas earned him a "Coach of the Year award." Ted met his sweetheart, Sharon Christine Dickensheets, at the University of Wyoming and married her in the spring of 1957. Together they had three children. In 1969, Ted left coaching and earned his Masters of Education in Administration and began working in administration at the secondary level. Ted was vice-principal at East Junior High and Kelly Walsh High School and Principal at Roosevelt School before going back into the classroom at CY Junior High. After 37 years of teaching, Ted retired in 1993. Always active in the community, Ted served on various committees and assisted with many events. He spent many years building Habitat for Humanity homes and enjoyed the many friends he acquired through those relationships. Ted was also very active in his church. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints. Service was a concept that Ted embraced and he reflected that value in his everyday life. Whether it was a community need or a religious need, Ted was always willing to lend a hand, lend a dollar or show up with his truck. Ted's passion was in the restoring of his antique vehicles. Ted restored a 1954 Chevrolet Belair, a 1966 Plymouth Fury Convertible and a 1968 Chevrolet Impala. He could be seen driving his cars in the parades, showing his car at any of the car shows, or touring with his friends in one of the old car tours. Ted was stricken with Alzheimer's at the age of 66; but managed to slow the progression of the disease because of early detection and his diligence to his physical care. After the passing of his wife, Sharon in 2005, Ted purchased a second home in Salt Lake City to be closer to his daughter, Lynne who was responsible for his care. Eventually succumbing to the effects of the disease, Ted needed full-time nursing care and resided at Garden Terrace Alzheimer's Care Facility. Even there, he was well-known and well-liked by the many nurses and aides that assisted him. Ted always had a quick smile, a jovial laugh and a smart quip for anyone who passed his way. His indomitable spirit is legendary due to his many escape attempts. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him. Ted was preceded in death by his wife, Sharon Dickensheets Nichols, father, Edward Albro Nichols, mother, Mary Lorene Harvey and his step-father, Walter Asplund. He is survived by his sister, Beverly (John) Coles, three children, Jon Nichols (Springfield, VA); Lynne Nichols (David) Senske of Taylorsville, Utah; Lorri Nichols (Bruce) Hoffman of Arlington, Washington, 11 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. The funeral will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Stake Center, 3941West 45th St., May 4th at 3:00 PM. There will be a viewing at 1:00 PM at the church prior to the service. Friends may also call at Bustard's Funeral home Friday, May 3rd from 6-8 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made the Ted M and Sharon D. Nichols Scholarship fund at Casper College, 125 College Drive, Casper, Wyoming 82609.

Service

Saturday, May 4, 2013 3:00pm

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

3931 West 45th Street

Casper, WY 82604

Visitation

Friday, May 3, 2013 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Bustard's Funeral Home

600 CY Avenue

Casper, Wyoming 82601