Lynn Lamarr Nichols

Lynn LaMarr Nichols was born on April 25, 1929, in Shelley, Idaho. LaMarr passed away on March 25, 2023, at the age of 93. He was the oldest child of Josiah Nichols and Fern Nichols Dustin. In 1935, when he was just six years old, his father was killed in a car accident coming home from work. As a result, he learned to be resilient and to overcome adversity at a young age. No matter what challenge he faced in his life, he never complained, he just kept going. He graduated from Pocatello High School while working several jobs to save money for college and a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. In 1950, his college and mission plans were put on hold after he enlisted in the United States Air Force shortly after the beginning of the Korean War. He served in the Air Force for four years and was honorably discharged in 1954 with the rank of Staff Sergeant. Finally, in 1957, at the age of 29 he left to serve a 30-month mission in New Zealand spending most of his time in the cities of Wellington, Christchurch, Blenheim, and Dunedin. After returning from his mission, he began attending Brigham Young University. He graduated from Brigham Young University with a bachelor’s degree in education and began working as an elementary school teacher and later a middle school teacher in the Jordan School District in Salt Lake, where he taught for 29 years before retiring. While teaching, he attended night school and earned a master’s degree in education from the University of Utah and worked for several years on a PhD at the University of Utah.

He met the love of his life, Madelyn Probst, on a blind date arranged by a mutual friend in 1962. He and Madelyn were married in the Salt Lake Temple on August 22, 1966. They made their home for most of their married life in Midway, Utah near Madelyn’s childhood home surrounded by family and friends. LaMarr lovingly and patiently supported Madelyn as she struggled with cancer and other health issues during their entire marriage. His life was one of selflessness in service to others and to our Heavenly Father. He served in various callings in the church as a member of the High Council, Bishopric, and in various scouting and other positions. He and Madelyn also served several missions together including as the Office Couple in the Knoxville, Tennessee Mission, Church Employment Center, and the Missionary Training Center. In 2016, he and Madelyn celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with an open house for family and friends at the Midway Town Hall. Madelyn preceded him in death in 2017.

LaMarr was steady, kind, and faithful all throughout his life. He was quick with a compliment or a joke. His laugh made everything better. He was an optimist and was always finding the silver lining. His smile and the twinkle in his eye will be greatly missed. He is survived by his three children, Steven (Kristine), Mark (Carrie) and Annette (Bart), 14 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren and brother Verlin. A viewing for family and friends will be held at the Midway Stake Center, 165 North Center Street, Midway, Utah from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. on Thursday March 30. A graveside service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday March 31, at the Midway City Cemetery with interment to follow. All family and friends are invited to attend the viewing and graveside service.