Mason Edward Nichols, Jr., 79, passed away peacefully in the comfort of his home Monday, January 11th, 2021.
Mr. Nichols was born August 29th, 1941 to Mason and Alice (Jones) Nichols, Sr. Mason grew up in the Berkley Section of Norfolk. While attending Maury High school, he met the love of his life, his bride of 58 years, Frances (Hamilton). Mason left Maury High School at the age of 17 to serve our country proudly in the U.S. Navy. Following his time in the Navy, Mason began a career with Colonial Pipeline, retiring after 30 years of dedicated service. Hard work came natural to Mason. Throughout his life he would worked two jobs owning a HVAC company to provide the best life he could for his family. Those who knew Mason would say he was willing to offer a hand, helping those less fortunate, sometimes seemed a little gruff and always knowing he was going to have the LAST word or text. He will always be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. He will be deeply missed.
Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife of 58 years, Frances Nichols; daughter, Amy Leebrick and husband Al; son, Scott Nichols and wife Staci; six grandchildren: Blake Leebrick, Kyle Nichols, Nicholas Leebrick, Logan Nichols, Christian Nichols, and Kaitlyn Nichols; sister, Carol Hedgepeth and husband Troy and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family members. Mr. Nichols is preceded in death by a son, Eric Nichols.
The family would like to send a Special thank you to the VA Beach Police, VA Beach EMS and VA Beach Fire department for their compassion expressed to our family during a tragic time. A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 pm, Saturday, January 16th, 2020 at Family Choice Funerals & Cremations. The celebration of life is a “come as you are event”, our father was an everyday man who did not need a suit or tie!
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Thank you, Mr. NIchols, for your service to our country.
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Mason served in the US Navy aboard the USS Truckee AO 147, a tanker ship. I served aboard the USS Independence, CVA62. We were well acquainted through family friendships. I have never forgotten through the years the vision of him standing on the deck of the Truckee when they came alongside to refuel us, and him yelling over, “I’ll tell everybody at home I saw you and you said Hello.” I felt how lucky he was to just sail over to the Med, refuel the ships, and sail back to Norfolk. Well, now the time has come to say, “Farewell, fair-winds, and following seas.” This and other memories will last forever. Blessings for the family and friends who share their loss.
We meant Mason thru his Heating & Cooling company—and he then became a close friend! Of course I had to pick on him as I served in the Marines and he served in the Navy! We did a number of work trips with him and his wife and had numerous funny stories from them. I tried to keep in touch every Friday as we’re now in Phoenix and we had a running joke that he would always call me on Fridays when I had cut back to 4 days a week so I continued it with my texting him. Will miss him! Our thoughts are with his family!
Jim and Inga Lambert