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.
###
The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Larry Nichols’ loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.
In Loving Memory of Larry Wesley Hurd January 3, 1941 – December 14, 2023
Larry Hurd, a true mountain man, passed
away at his Bear River home on December 14, 2023, leaving behind a
legacy of hard work, resilience, and a deep connection to the land he
loved.
Born on January 3, 1941 and growing up in
Bull Creek, Larry dedicated over 40 years of his life to the timber industry, primarily as a loader operator for Woody Murphy Logging in
Fields Landing. His skilled hands and unwavering commitment to his
craft left a mark on the forests he worked in and with the colleagues
who were fortunate enough to work beside him.
Upon retiring, Larry chose to move out to
‘The Ranch’ in Bear River, a home he began with his late wife,
Dorothy Darlene Hurd. He spent the last 15 years tending to the
ranch and embracing the rugged lifestyle that defined him. In the
shadow of the mountains, Larry found solace and purpose through
cutting firewood, building roads, tinkering on projects while
watching NASCAR in his down time.
Larry’s Bear River home became a gathering
place for friends and family, a testament to the warmth of his
hospitality and the genuine connections he fostered. He embodied the
spirit of a true mountain man, sharing his knowledge of the land with
humor and laughter with those around him.
Larry Hurd is survived by Kari Edwards
Anaya, Shawn Edens, Dale York, Gary Wheeler, Mike Benbow, Michelle
Benbow and their families as well as by his many friends. His
departure leaves a void that cannot be filled, but his memory will
endure in stories shared around campfires and through the echoes of
his chainsaw and humming generator. A celebration of Larry’s life
will take place this upcoming summer with his family members at “The
Ranch.” May he find eternal peace in the wilderness he loved so
dearly alongside the family and friends that have passed before him.
###
The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Larry Hurd’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.
Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:
On 1/6/2024, at about 10:00 am, Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to
the 1700 Block of Central Avenue, McKinleyville for the report of an extensive vandalism that had occurred at a local business. It’s
believed the vandalism occurred sometime between 6:00pm on Friday
01/05/2024 and 9:00am on Saturday 01/06/2024.
Upon
arrival, deputies located extensive damage to the business. The
damage is still being assessed, but it is currently estimated to be
in excess of $50,000. Deputies are still actively investigating this
crime but are seeking the community’s help. Included are several
photos of some of the damage caused and a specific paint that was
used. Due to the “subject matter” depicted in the vandalism, it
is suspected that the suspect(s) are likely juveniles or young
adults. We are seeking any assistance with identifying the suspect or
suspects who may have committed this crime.
Anyone
with information about this case or related criminal activity is
encouraged to call the
Humboldt
County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office
Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539.
You
don’t have to go far to learn what unkindness
looks like — just read LoCO for a week or two:
Students
living in their vehicles on campus (who can’t afford tuition and
rent) evicted at short notice from a CPH parking lot;
Sheriff
Honsal’s point-blank refusal to support a dead inmate’s wishes
to donate his organs (Honsal later relented after a media storm of
outrage, but the delay may have eliminated potential recipients);
Theft
of a truckload of Toys for Tots;
Kids’
mental health programs about to curtailed statewide (including
Humboldt) — that’s in rich California, which, were it a
sovereign nation, would rank as the world’s fifth largest economy;
Newly-released
condors sickened by ingesting illegal lead ammunition;
Repeated
vandalism of Arcata’s Jardin Santuario;
Heartless
naysayers attempting to stop low-income housing on a few of Eureka’s
underutilized parking lots (under the banner of “Housing for
All”!!!)
Local
bigots quoting ancient scripture to justify their fear of gays;
… and
on and on.
Sigh.
Long
ago, I had a cathartic experience during a long and intense retreat,
when it came to me that only One Thing Really Mattered: compassion.
I went around for the next several weeks telling anyone who would
listen to me, “It’s ALL about compassion!”
After
a month or so of this, I wasn’t quite sure what I meant, but I was
sure it meant something
— or why would I have been so blown away with the original
incident? Later, in my reading, I stumbled on a couple of stories
that reminded me. In Joan Tollifson’s gutsy book on her
spiritual/life/love journey Bare-Bones
Meditation,
she relates a late-night talk with a fellow resident at her
meditation center:
I
asked Paul if he feels he’s still growing here, since he often seemed
unhappy and talks frequently of leaving, and he says he doesn’t think
in terms of growth. All that personal fulfillment and development
stuff isn’t relevant, he says, all that matters is kindness.
Kindness
towards strangers probably isn’t in our genes — a million years
ago, survival depended on cooperating with one’s fellow tribal
members and competing with those of neighboring tribes. And it wasn’t
a virtue I grew up with, in post-war Britain, where food rationing
and the loss of the countries ill-gotten colonies was the order of
the day. For me, kindness for those beyond my immediate circle came
late in the game, but a love of travel and encounters with many
(kind!) mentors helped. Kindness doesn’t always come easy or
naturally, but it’s worth the effort. Even if I’m not feeling kind, I
can still act kind.
Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:
On 1/5/2024, at about 4:52 PM, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Emergency
Communications Center received a call regarding human remains found by beachgoers in the
area of the Manila Dunes.
Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies and a deputy coroner responded to the scene and recovered
the remains. The unidentified male is believed to have died under suspicious circumstances. The
cause and manner of death remain under investigation.
The Humboldt County Coroner’s Office is in the process of scheduling an autopsy and identifying
the body.
More information will be released when available.
Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to call the Humboldt County Sheriff’s
Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539.
A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for inland areas of Humboldt County today until 10 p.m.
Eureka’s National Weather Service office forecasts up to seven inches of snow for areas above 2,000 feet in elevation, making for hazardous driving conditions along stretches of Highway 36, 199 and 299.
“Snowfall is evident this morning at Berry Summit on Highway 299 and Collier Tunnel at Highway 199,” according to the NWS. “A couple of inches has likely already fallen. Meanwhile, isolated thunderstorms and moderate rain have built along the coast. …Additionally, [an] increasing risk of small hail this afternoon can bring unexpectedly icy conditions even to the coast!”
Is it snowing or hailing where you live? Send your weather reports to NWS at this link.
In addition to the snow, 20 to 23-foot waves will be possible along the North Coast today.
“Large breaking waves along the coast will lead to increased wave run-up on beaches with waves topping and washing over large rocks and jetties,” according to a High Surf Advisory issued this morning. “These large waves can be erratic and unpredictable. Use extra caution near the surf zone as these large waves will be capable of sweeping people into the frigid and turbulent ocean water. … Beachcombing is highly discouraged!”
