Eugene Wilbur Nichols

Eugene “Gene” Nichols was a caring husband, father, and grandfather.  He passed peacefully at home on April 29, 2022 at the age of 95. He was born on September 11, 1926 to Charles and Katherine Nichols in Bloomington, Illinois and was 2 ^nd eldest of 5 children.  He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, 2 brothers Donald and Gerald and 2 sisters Martha and Judy.

After graduating high school Gene enlisted in the United States Navy in 1944 serving in World War II. After being discharged in 1946, he began his career as a union carpenter.  Gene met the love of his life, Patricia, on a blind date in September 1950 and then moved to Long Beach for work two months later.  He proposed and six months after the blind date they were married in San Francisco and then resided in Long Beach.  In 1956, they purchased their forever home in Lakewood and raised their family.  He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Patricia and his 3 daughters, Penni McDaniel (Pat Malone), Cindi Peterson (Marlin), and Patti Nichols; 4 grandchildren, Amy, Heather, Kyle and Kelly; and 3 great grandchildren, Alexis, Eddie and Jasmine and many nieces and nephews.

Gene was a “jack of all trades” and was known to be able to roof, plumb, remodel and paint a house to rebuilding a car engine to tending his garden and flowers.   He loved to fish and yes always had to put the worms on his daughter’s hooks! After retirement, bowling became one of their pastimes and they enjoyed bowling in leagues and tournaments. Second pastime was “fun field trips” to Laughlin. And lastly and most importantly he was an avid sports fan and a life long Angels Baseball fan. He was always ready to go to the games and wore his Angels gear proudly.

Celebration of Life Service is scheduled for 1:00 pm on May 14, 2022, at Luyben Dilday Mortuary, 5161 Arbor Rd. Long Beach.  In lieu of flowers, please donate to the American Heart Association, http://www2.heart.org/goto/Eugene_Nichols