Merrel F. Nichols

Merrel F. Nichols, 77, died Friday, February 24, 2012, at an Abilene medical center. The son of Alma Elizabeth (Roberts) and Ernest Willie Nichols, Merrel was born on December 12, 1934 in Early County, Georgia. He graduated from Morgan High School in Morgan, Georga in 1954, and graduated from Cisco Junior College with an Associate Degree in Applied Science. He married Julia (Judy) Eubanks on October 24, 1959, in Leary, Georgia. Merrel was a U. S. Air Force veteran of the Vietnam War, retiring after a 23-year career in the USAF with the rank of Tech Sergeant. Since July of 1972, he had been a resident of Abilene, Texas. He worked for the City of Abilene Animal Control for 14 years (1987-2002). He was a member of Abilene Primitive Baptist Church. Merrel was a lifetime member of V.F.W. Post 6873, the Sergeants Association, and Good Sams R.V. Club, Wildcats Chapter, and a charter member of the Rainbow Travelers. He was also a volunteer who sold tickets at the West Texas Fair and Rodeo. His parents, two brothers and two sisters preceded him in death. Merrel is survived by his wife, Judy Nichols of Abilene; son, Merrel F. Nichols, Jr. and wife Kimlyn of Bedford, Texas; daughter, Julia D. Seim and husband Bruce of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota; five grandchildren, Stacy, Stephanie, Josh, Heather and Michael; five great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Services will be 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 28, at The Hamil Family Funeral Home Chapel, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, with Chaplain Charlie Bowen, V.F.W. and Col. Gordon Atkison, USAF (Ret.) officiating. Interment will follow in Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Abilene. Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Memorial contribution may be made to Rose Park Senior Citizens, PO Box 60, Abilene, TX 79604, or V.F.W. Post 6873, 1049 Veterans Dr., Abilene, TX 79605.