Nichols, Nicholas Richardson III

Longtime Chattanooga Orthodontist Was World War II Veteran

  • Saturday, May 2, 2015
Nicholas Richardson Nichols III
Nicholas Richardson Nichols III

Nicholas Richardson Nichols III of Lookout Mountain, Tennessee died on Friday May 2, 2015. 

He was 93 years old, and lived most of his life in the Chattanooga area. Hosts of friends, family, and former patients hold fond memories and stories to tell.

Nick lived with joy. He loved the practice of orthodontics and the joy of helping kids feel better about themselves. By vocation and by nature he made many people smile. He delighted in all of God's creation.

Nick lived with faith. In the face of personal losses, Nick maintained his faith in God and thankfulness for many blessings. His faith, hope and love were constants. Nick lived to serve. As a member of any church or organization he took on leadership roles. Stories abound of Nick's generous spirit. His morning prayer was, "God show us who we can help today."

Nick was a generous teacher of young people. His children and grandchildren called him "Charlie." Near the end of his life they drove for hours, made complicated arrangements, and called to pay tribute to their grandfather by birth or remarriage. He loved them all. Some of them wrote memories this week, "I carry things I learned from Charlie with me each day, as we all do. Little things like how to carry a fishing pole, eat a grapefruit, or hammer a nail... to big things like how to treat people, how to seek adventure in the world, how to love, and how to be truly committed to your family." "I have never met a more generous and loving individual toward all he encountered. It was just what he did, who he was." "Charlie was a man who seemed incapable of stopping. I don’t know how you do that when life throws at you everything it threw at him, and I hope I never have to figure it out. But I do I know I’ll never know a stronger, more graceful, and powerful example of how to be alive. Rest in peace, Charlie—no one has earned it more."

And now we include the list of facts that Nick prepared for his obituary before his kids barged in to add our own stuff. He was born on August 10, 1921 in Athens, AL, he attended Auburn University and graduated from Atlanta-Southern Dental College in 1943. During World War II he served with the 10th Mountain Infantry Division in Colorado and with the 70th Infantry Division in Europe. In 1946 he began the practice of General Dentistry in Chattanooga, returning to Emory University in 1949 to complete post-graduate education in orthodontics. He returned to Chattanooga to practice for 32 years.  Following his retirement he was associated with the Fletcher Bright Company.

He held numerous offices in Dental and Orthodontic Societies and served on the boards of First-Centenary United Methodist Church, Northside Neighborhood House, Chattanooga Cares, Chattanooga Nature Center, Chattanooga Symphony and Opera Association, and as a vestryman and Senior Warden of The Church of The Good Shepherd. He was a member and past president of The Chattanooga Rotary Club. Nick delivered Meals on Wheels for 39 years.

He was predeceased by his wife, Caroline Dodd Nichols and their sons, Thomas R. Nichols, and James W. Nichols. 

Their children who survive him are their daughter, the Rev.Suzanne N. Smitherman (The Rev.Gene R.); and their son David S. Nichols, (Vivienne H.). Other survivors are the children of Barbara Tharpe Nichols;  Wm. Thorpe McKenzie, (Sarah C.) and Ann M. Aiken, (William P.);  and Mary M. Williamson (John A. Jr.), Birmingham, daughter-in-law, Francie McKenzie, New York, NY; and the children of Beverly E. Nichols, Catherine W. Angel (Richard) Knoxville; Jack L. Webb, Jr. (Sue), and Richard Scott Webb, (Sue). He was blessed with 27 grandchildren, and 34 great-grandchildren. 

Nick's family thanks professional staff at Alexian Health Care and Hospice of Chattanooga and the devoted care givers from Home Helpers. We can never repay their kindness.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, May 5, at 4 p.m. at The Church of The Good Shepherd, Lookout Mountain. Visitation at the church is from 2:30-4 p.m.. Interment will be private.

Time for visiting and sharing Nick stories is set for Wednesday evening from 4:30-7 p.m. at the Mountain City Club.   

Memorial contributions may be made to The Church of The Good Shepherd, 211 Franklin Road, Lookout Mountain, TN, 37350; The Public Education Foundation, 100 E. 10th Street, Chattanooga, TN. 37402, or a favorite charity.

Please visit www.heritagechattanooga.com to share words of condolences to the family.

Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 E. Brainerd Road.

 

 

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