James Harold Nichols, 78

James Harold Nichols, 78, passed away Dec. 26, 2007, in Yakima, Wash.

He was born Sept. 6, 1929, to Alva Harold Nichols and Ida (Edge) Nichols, in Bigfork. He graduated from Bigfork High School in 1947, and attended Montana State College, majoring in range management. He transferred to the University of Montana in 1952, and enlisted in the Air Force. While in the Air Force, he attended specialized military language training at Indiana University, where he studied and became an expert in several Eastern European languages, including Russian and Bulgarian.

He was stationed in Europe when he proposed to his high school sweetheart, Nona Paul. They were married twice; first via a military radio operator in March 1957, and in August 1957, Jim and Nona were married in a church ceremony in Somers.

He and Nona farmed with her family in the Flathead Valley, before he accepted a position as a research analyst with the National Security Agency. He worked at Fort Meade, Md., and from 1977 until his retirement at the Yakima Firing Center.

The family settled near Naches, Wash., and had a small cherry orchard. He was a devoted husband, father of two sons, and grandfather of five, faithfully attending and supporting the activities of his children and grandchildren.

He was active in St. John's Catholic Parish, serving as parish council president and adult Bible study leader.

He was an avid reader, flower and vegetable gardener and a fine cook who enjoyed family meals, working outdoors, woodcutting and Christmas tree gathering trips to the mountains.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Phyllis Marie.

He is survived by his wife, Nona, of Selah, Wash.; two sons, Clifford and Patty of Toppenish, Wash., and Timothy and Laurie of Brookings, S.D.; five grandchildren, Paul James, Lauren and Luke of Toppenish, and Jordan and Hannah of Brookings; and one brother, Donald and Phyllis, of Portland.

Visitation will be held from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 30, at Keith and Keith Ninth Avenue Chapel, Yakima, Wash., with a rosary being said at 4 p.m. Mass of Christian burial will be held at 2 p.m. Monday. Dec. 31, at St. John's Catholic Church in Naches. Burial will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 3, at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery in Kalispell.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. John's Catholic Church, c/o Keith and Keith Funeral Home, 902 W. Yakima Ave., Yakima, WA 98902. To share a memory of Jim visit www.mem.com.