Max Alfred Nichols

Max Alfred Nichols, 85, of Eloy, a longtime Casa Grande Valley farmer, died March 25, 2008 at Scottsdale Healthcare.


Visitation was from 6 to 8 p.m. March 27 at J. Warren Funeral Services, Cole & Maud The Gardens Chapel in Casa Grande, with rosary recited at 7. Funeral Mass was celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Helen of the Cross Catholic Church by the Rev. Juan Carlos Aguirre. Burial was in Eloy Memorial Park.

Mr. Nichols was born May 29, 1922 in Marfa, Texas, and was a son of Angelita (Martin Martinez) and Albert Nichols. He served in the Army Air Corps during World War II and received an honorable discharge at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. He moved to Casa Grande after the war with his bride, Nora Singh Nichols. He began his farming career working with his father-in-law, Diwan Singh.

He continued to farm in the Casa Grande and Eloy area for 60 years until he fell ill from two strokes. His passion was farming, and he loved all the challenges that came with it. He formerly was a longtime Casa Grande resident.

Survivors include four daughters, Angela Bolt and Maxine Nichols of Casa Grande, Norma Johnson of Scottsdale and Penny Nichols of Eloy; two sons, Albert "Butch" Nichols of Eloy and Laurence "Larry" Nichols of Casa Grande; a sister, Annabelle Meza of Los Angeles; seven grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. His wife died in 2000, and he also was preceded in death by two sisters, Ida Giron and Alice Nichols.