87R21735 JGH-D
By: Button H.R. No. 1244
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Family and friends will forever treasure their
memories of the Reverend Gerald Lee Nichols of Richardson, who died
on April 12, 2021, at the age of 87; and
WHEREAS, Jerry Nichols was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on
April 25, 1933; he met his future wife, Rose Marie, on a blind date
in 1952, and the couple were married a few months later and went on
to spend the next 68 years together; they were blessed with two
children, Daniel and Danette, and they later welcomed into their
family a son-in-law, Joe, and two grandchildren, Elijah and
Mackenzie; and
WHEREAS, Reverend Nichols earned his master of divinity
degree from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis and was ordained as a
Lutheran minister in 1960, and he devoted much of his 38-year
pastoral career to establishing new churches throughout Texas; even
after his retirement in 1998, he continued working with ministries
for children and those with disabilities, visiting nursing homes,
and helping to start new congregations; in the past eight years, he
logged more than 4,200 hours ministering to families as a volunteer
chaplain at Methodist Richardson Medical Center, and he and his
wife participated for several years in the cross-cultural ministry
at Living Water Community Church; and
WHEREAS, Engaged in political and civic affairs as well,
Reverend Nichols served as a volunteer for his state representative
and as a member of the Texas Silver-Haired Legislature; in
addition, he was a graduate of Leadership Richardson and a member of
his homeowner's association; and
WHEREAS, Jerry Nichols lived a rich and purposeful life
devoted to his family, his faith, and his community, and those who
were privileged to share in this esteemed man's love and friendship
will always remember him with admiration and affection; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of the Reverend Gerald
Lee Nichols and extend heartfelt sympathy to all who mourn his
passing; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Jerry
Nichols.