WILMINGTON — Laurance Dean Nichols Sr., of Wilmington, N.C., passed over to walk with the Lord on Nov. 16, 2016.
Funeral services will be at Andrews Mortuary on Market Street, Sunday, Nov. 20. Visitation will be held at 2 p.m. Services will follow at 3 p.m. with Brian Beaver of Bethel Baptist Church, Riegelwood, officiating. A private burial at sea will follow on Wednesday.
Dean was born in Montgomery, Alabama, to the late Ralph Edward Nichols and Jewell Dean Nichols on Jan. 23, 1960.
He was a true self-made man. He was taught the skill of painting by his father at a young age. When he graduated from high school, he went to work for Crawford Paint Co. in Greensboro. During his 20-year tenure there, he held every field position, then decided to take a pay cut to move into the office and learn to estimate projects.
In December 1990, he and Micah Woodcock started Hanover Coatings Inc., a now successful local business of which he was very proud. He married Angelique Burton on June 6, 1992, who ultimately became his partner, not only in life, but also in business. He was an avid fisherman. His Reel Nauti Fishing Team, which included his wife, sons, brother-in-law, Danny Burton, and best friend, Steve Gunn; competed and won king mackerel tournaments throughout the Southeast. He loved to golf, watch NASCAR, and write love poems to his wife. His greatest love was his family, who will truly miss his warm heart, thoughtful insight and leadership.
Dean was preceded in death by his sister, Sandi Raines. He is survived by his wife, Angelique; son, Laurance Dean Nichols Jr., and his wife, Megan, of Raleigh; son, Codie Burton Nichols of the home; stepdaughters, Brooke and Leslie Perkinson of Wilmington; brother, Ralph “Skeeter” Nichols, and his wife, Oneta, of Clayton; granddaughter, Abigail Nichols of Raleigh; and grandson, Robert Lee Wilcox of Wilmington.
The Nichols family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Dr. Linda Calhoun and her nurse Marcia for giving us these last few years with Dean and to the great staff of Lower Cape Fear Hospice for making his last few weeks comfortable.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Lower Cape Fear Hospice.