House Resolution 4

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE, LEGACY AND PUBLIC SERVICE CONTRIBUTIONS OF MR. DUTCH MILTON NICHOLS, FORMER MAYOR OF THE CITY OF OLIVE BRANCH, MISSISSIPPI, AND EXTENDING DEEPEST SYMPATHY UPON HIS PASSING TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

WHEREAS, Mr. Dutch Milton Nichols, a former mayor of Olive Branch, Mississippi, departed this earthly life, to be in the presence of the Lord, on December 31, 2025, at the age of 90, bringing sorrow to his family, church family, friends, many citizens of Olive Branch and beyond; and

WHEREAS, born on October 5, 1935, to his loving parents, Vea and D. Frank Nichols, Mr. Nichols was reared in love, along with his siblings, Harold, William and Sandra, and in 1945, as a child, he moved to Olive Branch and later graduated from Olive Branch High School in 1953; and

WHEREAS, after completing high school, Mr. Nichols attended the University of Mississippi, where he was an active student as he was a member of ATO fraternity and served as a campus senator, and after graduating from Ole Miss, in 1957, with a degree in banking and finance, he entered the work force and made contributions at 1st National Bank in Memphis and then served as an assistant comptroller of the currency with the United States Treasury; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Nichols, while working, enrolled in the Southern Law University program, affiliated with Memphis State University and earned a law degree in 1962, and six years later, he became an entrepreneur and opened Olive Branch Insurance Company, where he ensured that the needs of his clients were met; and

WHEREAS, after making contributions in the private sector, Mr. Nichols began his public service as an alderman for Olive Branch, where he was first elected in 1973, and he served in this capacity, representing his district, until 1977; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Nichols, after serving as alderman, continued his public service to Olive Branch, as he was elected as its mayor in 1977 and continued in this capacity for a remarkable five terms until 1997; and

WHEREAS, throughout Mr. Nichols' tenure as mayor, he effectively guided the City of Olive Branch through unprecedented growth and expansion, and he was key in the establishment of the city park, acquisition of the Wesson House and the Olive Branch Airport - all of which are testaments of his renowned leadership skills; and

WHEREAS, overall, through the service of Mr. Nichols in his role of mayor, he actively pursued any project or businesses that would benefit the citizens of Olive Branch, and even after serving the city, he used his talents to serve the county as he was elected, in 2011, to the Desoto County School Board, where he represented District 1 until 2023; and

WHEREAS, in addition to being a community servant, Mr. Nichols was a Christian as he was a member of Maples Memorial United Methodist Church, where he joined in 1957, and he was active in the church having served often as a chairperson on various committees during his years of membership; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Nichols, who was a Mason and Shriner, also gave back to the community as he was a member of various clubs and civic organizations, some of which include the Rotary Club, the Lions Club and Chamber of Commerce, which speaks volumes of his community minded focus; and

WHEREAS, along with being a community servant, Mr. Nichols received great joy by spending time with his wonderful family and reveling in his hobbies that included painting, gardening, history and talking as he never met a stranger as he generously shared his warm smile; and

WHEREAS, the memories of Mr. Nichols will continue to flourish in the hearts and minds of his survivors, some of whom include: his loving wife, Dorgie; daughter, Cindy (Barry); grandson, Rhett (Ginger); great-granddaughter, Emily; sister, Sandra as well as a host of other loved ones and friends, who will forever cherish the pearls of wisdom he so freely shared throughout his 90 years of blessed life; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to pay tribute and honor a selfless individual such as Mr. Dutch Milton Nichols who is aptly described as a community servant and whose service to the City of Olive Branch and DeSoto County will be treasured by those who were blessed to know and love him as well as those generations to come:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the life, legacy and public service of Mr. Dutch Milton Nichols, and extend deepest sympathy upon his passing to his family and many friends.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Mr. Dutch Milton Nichols and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.