Larry Nichols

Larry Dale Nichols, 73, of Des Moines, Iowa, died Thursday, January 17, 2013, at his residence. Funeral services for Larry will be held at 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, January 22, 2013, at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown, Iowa. Burial with military honors will take place at the Marietta Cemetery, Marshalltown, Iowa. Visitation for Larry will be held from 5:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m., Monday, January 21, 2013, at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home where Larrys family will be present to greet friends. Larry was born April 5, 1939, in Marshalltown, Iowa, the son of Cady LaVern and Fannie Gail (Myers) Nichols. Larry graduated from the Clemons Consolidated High School in Clemons, Iowa, in 1956,and went on to honorably serve his country as a member of the United States Navy from 1956 to 1977. Larry retired as a proud veteran of the Navy on April 5, 1977 as a Chief Warrant Officer, with 20 years, 6 months and 14 days active service. Larry was united in marriage to Margery Frances Martin on May 19, 1957, in Troy Mills, Iowa, and to that union three children were born: Cyndi, Valerie and Bruce. Larry continued to serve his country as a Federal civil servant with the United States Navy Department from 1979 to 1991. On July 30, 1991, Larry retired as a Military Personnel Management Specialist, with a combined total of 33 years of active Federal service. In June 1987, Larry graduated from Northern Virginia Community College in Virginia, receiving an A.S. degree in general studies, summa cum laude and in 1988 received an A.A.S. Degree, also summa cum laude. Throughout his lifetime and while serving our country, Larry and his family lived in California, Illinois, Florida, Hawaii, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Cuba, Guam, Iowa, and Virginia. Larry and his family spent most of their years in Sterling Park, Virginia, where they resided for nearly 28 years. Larry also lived at the Greenspring Retirement Community in Springfield, Virginia for nearly 8 years. Larry will be remembered as a dog lover. He had a passion for spending time with dogs and caring for them.He was even known as the dog walker at Greenspring. He had a great sense of humor, which kept all who knew and came in contact with him entertained. Larry also shared a love of genealogy with his niece. Larry is survived by his children: Cyndi (Randy) Lyon of Des Moines, Iowa; Valerie Buckless of Aurora, Colorado; and Bruce Nichols of Falls Church, Virginia. His brother Donald Nichols of Marshalltown, Iowa. His grandchildren: Matthew (Fabiola) Wood, Jennifer Lyon, Josh Lyon and Justin Lyon; great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Larry was preceded in death by his wife, Margery Frances Nichols, and his brothers, Floyd Laverne, in infancy; and Harold Eugene in 1993. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed in his name to the Animal Rescue League of Iowa, 5452 NE 22nd Street, Des Moines, Iowa, 50313; Phone: 515-262-9503.For further information, or to send a condolence, please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call (641) 844-1234.