Larry Charles Nichols passed peacefully on January 2, 2024.

Born to CF “Nick” Nichols and Joy Rogers Nichols in Richmond, on May 5, 1944, he grew up in Felton and the surrounding environs of Santa Cruz County.

A captain of his high school football team, he was a proud alum of San Lorenzo Valley High School and cherished those memories and friendships throughout his life.

Not long after high school, following proudly in his father’s footsteps, he became a California Highway Patrolman, stationed out of Santa Cruz.

Between high school and the CHP he worked at Santa’s Village theme park where he met a very pretty elf. After much wooing, he married Molly Lou Folkins on September 10, 1966. Eventually they adopted two sons, Larry Charles Nichols Jr and Layne Michael Nichols. Larry and Molly were married 53 years until her passing in 2019.

In 1977 Larry retired early from the CHP and the family moved to Eureka. He worked as a manager in the grocery business in Humboldt County for the rest of his working life. At Blue Lake Market, Stop & Shop Market, and other locations, he developed many fun and memorable relationships with coworkers and customers.

He had a joyous sense of humor which was especially evident in interaction with his equally humorous and joyful parents and sisters. Everyone who knew him will remember him as an especially affable, quick-witted, and easy-going person.

He is preceded in death by his parents Nick and Joy, his wife Molly, his sister Linda McNair (David); his siblings-in-law Bill Folkins, Michael Folkins, Dutch and Donna Vogle. He is survived by his sons Larry Jr (Alyse) and Layne, his sister Sharon Curtis (Johnny); his brother-in-law Patrick Folkins (Sheila); his step-mother Nancy Nichols; and many beloved cousins, nieces and nephews.