James Ralph Nichol

 

With family by his side, James Ralph Nichol, born in Beaverlodge, AB, on August 29, 1945, passed away in Edmonton, AB on February 3, 2023, after a battle with cancer.

In his early years, Jim worked in High Prairie, apprenticing as a mechanic and working at the Macleod’s Store. He came back to Beaverlodge, and for the next 10 years, worked alongside his dad, Ralph Nichol, as an equipment operator at the Beaverlodge Air Force Base.  For the next 37 years, he worked for the Town of Beaverlodge under Jim Walker and then became the town foreman, a sometimes thankless job.  Jim had an incredible memory and knew where every water line and sewer line was, along with anything else lurking below ground, and he wasn’t afraid to jump down into the hole to work alongside his co-workers.  His final job was working for the Viken family at Hi-Drive Contracting, undeniably his favourite people to work for.

Jim loved being outdoors and spent a great deal of time hunting, fishing, and river boating on the Wapiti River.  In his younger years, he was a little bit on the crazy side.  He loved to drive stock cars and when he wasn’t racing them, he could be found tearing up the streets of Beaverlodge in his own car.

Jim was not afraid of hard work and after long days as the town foreman, he would not hesitate to help a farmer who needed an extra hand during the haying or harvesting season.  During that time, he was also the driver for the Beaverlodge 77s bus, which later became NorLine Bus Charters, where he drove many trips to Powder King Ski Hill.  For five years during the winter months, just about every weekend that he did the charter run to Powder King, he got a speeding ticket.

Jim was an accident waiting to happen, and he never failed to deliver on those accidents.  The injuries he sustained over the years always healed, and with each of them came a story that has brought tears of laughter to so many.  His stories would be almost unbelievable except for the fact that Jim always had “witnesses”.

Jim will be dearly missed by his children: Dion (Jenifer), Tracy Eastman; grandchildren: Mackenzie Fair-Nichol (Aaron), Langlie Fair-Nichol (James), Kenedie Fair-Nichol, Landis Eastman (Danielle), Dallas Eastman (Terry), Keanna Dehek (Dylan); great grandchildren: Luke Dumas, Hadley Dumas, Navy McKinlay, Silas Eastman, Letty Eastman, Ayden Dehek, Adalynn Dehek;  brothers: Larry (Nadia), Darcy, Bob (Donna), Randy (Patti); as well as many nephews and nieces.  He was predeceased by his parents Ralph and Edna Nichol.

There will be a celebration of life for Jim Nichol on Sunday, February 19, 2023, at 1 pm at the Beaverlodge Community Centre.  Donations in memory of Jim will be graciously accepted at the Edmonton Mennonite Guest Home, 8304-117 Street, Edmonton, AB T6G 1R3 or the Cross Cancer Institute, 11560 University Ave, Edmonton, AB T6G 1Z2.

• Date : 2023-02-03
• Location : Beaverlodge, AB

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