Dennis Nichols

Dennis (Denny) Nichols passed away peacefully with his family by his side on January 31, 2020 at Silverado Memory Care in Bellingham after living with dementia several years.

He was born February 5, 1943 in Sedro Woolley, WA to Harvey and Glenda Nichols where the family enjoyed camping, hunting, and fishing with family and friends. He excelled in baseball, basketball and football, along with playing drums in the band and being involved in school government at Sedro Woolley High School. He went on to Skagit Valley College, receiving his AA degree in 1964, and then to Washington State University in Pullman, WA.

Denny moved to Seattle, working for Union Oil Co. of California in sales and management in Seattle, Tacoma, and San Juan Island areas. He transferred to Spokane in 1978 with his wife Georgeanne and two daughters, Melissa & Staci, where he was Area Manager for Union Oil for 3 more years.. While living in Seattle, Denny enjoyed time with his daughters as members of YMCA's Indian Princesses Program.

In 1981 Denny went to work as Vice President for Goodman Oil Co. out of Lewiston, lD for about 20 years, traveling the Pacific Northwest. While working for Goodman Oil, he earned his BA Degree in Business Administration in 1983 from Whitworth University. In 1999, Denny and his wife moved to Leavenworth, WA where they owned and operated a Bed & Breakfast for 14 years while he worked for Cascade School District as a driver and Trainer, retiring in 2013, and moving to Bellingham to be near their daughter and family.

Following daughter Staci's reign as a 1989 Spokane Lilac Festival Princess, Denny was recruited as a director, serving on several committees and as President of SLFA in the year 2000. He and his wife served on Young Life Adult Committee in Spokane, later going to YL Malibu Camp in Canada for many years where Denny helped build Adirondack Chairs for the camp. He also served on the Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce Board for several years.

The family spent many years on snow ski trips, water skiing on Lake Sutherland (west of Port Angeles), and camping. A special ski vacation took Denny and Georgeanne to France, Austria and Switzerland in the mid-1980's. As empty nesters, they purchased a 28' Cruiser and spent several years enjoying the waters of Priest Lake in Idaho with friends. Denny loved to travel and his greatest wish was granted when he and his wife took a 6 week trip in 2014 to England, Scotland, and Ireland. He especially enjoyed the sights of his Irish Heritage. Other travels included trips to many other states and areas in North America. After moving to Bellingham, he was able to enjoy reunions with his high school classmates in Skagit County.

Denny's love for his family and friends, outgoing personality, honesty, and compassion, were felt by all who knew him, leaving us with wonderful memories. He will be very missed as he joins our heavenly father and those who passed before him - his parents and daughter; Melissa. In addition, his two miniature schnauzers, Caesar and Romeo, were his buddies!

He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Georgeanne Nichols, daughter Staci and husband Loran Zenonian, along with their 3 children, Emma, Joel, and Meghann Zenonian. He also is survived by several cousins in Skagit and Whatcom Counties.