11/14/2017
Edward Clayton Nichols, age 84, died at his home in West Des Moines on November 14, 2017.
Ed was a member of the Knoxville High School class of 1950 and also a graduate of Iowa State Teachers College (University of Northern Iowa). He had life-long friends from both places.
He met Nancy Richman in Cedar Falls, and after they married in 1954, he reported for duty in the U.S. Army. Upon completing his military service, he and Nancy returned to his hometown, where for nearly 40 years he was a respected science teacher and activities sponsor at Knoxville High.
As a husband, he supported Nancy’s engagement in many community organizations and pursuit of further education. As a father, he supported his son’s activities in government, politics, and higher education; and his daughter’s in sporting events, dog training, and veterinary science.
In 1993, Ed took early retirement from the school district in order to begin his second career as a full-time caregiver to his grandson Evan, and later with Nancy, to his granddaughter Grace. Sharing in their milestones and guiding them toward becoming the successful young adults they are today were his priorities from the day each was born.
While teaching, Ed was an active member of the Knoxville Education Association, and a leader on the board of the Knoxville Area Community Hospital. He later became a member of the Iowa Sesquicentennial Commission and the Iowa Health Facilities Council.
He is survived by his wife Nancy of West Des Moines, son Greg, and daughter-in-law Dawn Connet of West Des Moines, daughter Becky of Des Moines, grandson Evan of West Des Moines, granddaughter Grace of Minneapolis, MN, and numerous nieces and nephews and their families.
Ed’s family extends special thanks to the Unity Point Hospice team and the caregivers from Home Instead for their assistance in recent weeks.
The family requests any memorial contributions be directed to either the Knoxville Hospital and Clinics Foundation or the Donald Adams Leadership Fund at Drake University. Nancy and her family will host a celebration of life reception in Ed’s memory on Sunday, November 26 from 3-5 PM at Cooper’s on Fifth in Valley Junction.