Dennis Harold Nichols

On January 29, 2024, Dennis won the 25 year battle to be free of his broken body. He passed away at the age of 75 following a long period of declining health.

Dennis Harold Nichols was born on March 13, 1948 in Murphy, North Carolina, to Willis and Clara (McClure) Nichols. He graduated from Towns County High School in 1967 and North Georgia Trade and Technical Schools in 1969. He worked in Clayton at Duvall Ford and Trussell Ford in Athens.

In 1977, he and his brother Perry established Hiawassee Tire & Battery. They ran the business until 2010.

Dennis had two passions in life: photography and target shooting.

He was a member of the Chatuge Gun Club for many years. He and other founding members of the club cleared the land that is used to this day. During his time at the gun club, he spent many hours target shooting and maintaining the land.

He was an avid photographer. Over the years he took many pictures of the area, the family, and his church. Dennis was a major contributor to Towns County, A Pictoral History.

Dennis lived in the Woods Grove area of Towns County most of his life. He moved into the Chatuge Regional Nursing Home in 2016. He was a member of Woods Grove Baptist Church.

He was predeceased by his father in 2007 and his brother, Bruce Nichols, in 1973.

Survivors include his wife, Diann (Russell) Nichols, son Wade (Debbie) Nichols, daughter Katie (Eddie) Carroll, all of Young Harris. Other survivors include mother, Clara Nichols, brother Perry Nichols, both of Hiawassee, and sister Barbara Goolsby, of Monticello. Grandchildren are Valarie Nichols, Arthur and Julianna Bowman. A host of other family and friends also survive.

According to his wishes, there will be no funeral service. A private family ceremony will take place at a later date.

The family would like to thank Chatuge Regional Nursing Home, Traditions Health Hospice Care, and Dr. Tracy Edwards for their help during this difficult time.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Ataxia Foundation (ataxia.org).

Banister-Cooper Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.