Dick Nicol

Dick Nicol passed away peacefully in his home in Clayton, Idaho, on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017, at the age of 86, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born on May 5, 1931, to Bud and Pauline Nichol in Glasgow, Mont. He was raised in the surrounding area of Nashua on the family ranch with his seven brothers and sisters, until he went into the Army in 1954.

He went to western Montana to visit his best friend, Dick Vinson, that he met while in the Army. He loved it, and was amazed snow would gather on fence posts and stay, that didn't happen in eastern Montana. He logged and worked at the saw mill.

In 1971, he met the love of his life, Susie Charlo, in Perma, Mont., where they owned and operated the Perma bar. He and Sue eventually sold the bar, and with their daughter, Bobbie Jo, moved to Trout Creek, Mont. He has lived in different areas including 9-Mile, Mont., Paisley, Ore. and Fort St. John, British Columbia, but he settled and loved Clayton. He worked at Yellow Jacket and Thompson Creek Mine in Clayton until he retired.

He worked different jobs throughout his life, including being a rancher, cowboy, logger, miner, welder, a pick-up man, but nothing meant more to him than spending time with his family and friends. He always had a good story or two to tell. He loved nothing more than visiting with his friends at the fish fry parties that he held twice a year that many people attended. He loved to fish and what he caught, he shared.

Throughout the years, he enjoyed taking his friends to Chinook, Wash., where he met his brother, Jim, sister-in-law, Kathy, and nephew, Jimmie. They fished for sturgeon, tuna, bass and halibut.

He loved to putter around in the garden and it showed. When people would visit, they always left with a basket of something Dick had grown or canned with Susie. He adored his daughter and grandchildren and spent a lot of time with all of them. He has endured pedicures, manicures, barber shop, makeovers, checkers, Connect Four, pitch and endless games of cribbage. We love and adored him more!

He is preceded in death by his parents, Bud and Pauline; one sister, Mary Ann; and beloved nephew, Barney Bunot.

He is survived by his adoring wife, Susie; one daughter, Bobbie Jo, and her husband, Buck; four grandchildren, Michelle Wright and her husband, Marcus, Amber Tonnancour, Sidney Palmar and Shelton Palmar; three great-grandchildren, Keniel Palmer, Annabel Lee and Peyton Jay Gandee; brothers and sisters, Earl and his wife, Sandy, Pete, Phylis, Swede, Louella, Jim and his wife, Kathy; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He left behind a huge legacy of memories that we will love and cherish forever.

A celebration of life was held on Saturday, Jan. 6, at the Clayton Legion Hall at 3 p.m. Attendees shared stories as a great man was remembered.

In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to the Clayton Rural Fire Department or the Clayton Cemetery in his name.