Richard Lee "Dickie" Nichols, 84, of Delmar, died Wednesday, August 14, 2013 at the Delaware Veterans Home in Milford, where he had resided for the past 5 years. He was born July 2, 1929 in Delmar, a son of the late Howard Beauchamp Nichols and Mildred Johnson Nichols. Dickie, as he was known by all who loved him, proudly served his country in the U.S. Army from 1954 to 1955. He retired in 1991 after many years of service as a machine operator for the DuPont Company in Seaford. He dedicated much of his life to the Delmar Volunteer Fire Department, where he served as an active member for 60 years. He will be remembered for his sense of humor, who loved to get a good laugh out of family and friends. He also enjoyed sitting on his front porch on State Street, watching the cars go by and waving to everyone. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Nellie Anne (French) Nichols; a sister, Ann Ring (Richard) of Delmar; a brother, Fred Nichols (Joyce) of Seaford; a brother-in-law, Dean French (Betty); a sister-in-law, Mable Lee Ball (Donald); special nieces and nephews, Donald Ball (Sherry), Dawn Sard (Don), Tamara Eckleberry (Dan), Terri Lynn Tice (Allen), Randy French, Donna Shaka (Craig), Linda Seefried (Luke), Beth Kimmey (Eric) and Rev. Robert Ring; and great nephews who were like grandsons to him, Justin Ball and Michael Sard. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Howard Johnson Nichols. The family would like to extend a very special thank you to the staff of the Delaware Veterans Home in Milford for their wonderful care and compassion they showed to Dickie and his family. A fireman's funeral will be held on Saturday, August 17, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at Short Funeral Home in Delmar, where family and friends may call from 10:00 to 11:00. Interment with military honors will follow the services at St. Stephen's Cemetery in Delmar. Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to Delmar Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 243, Delmar, Delaware 19940. Arrangements are in the care of Short Funeral Home in Delmar. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.shortfh.com.