JOHN BYRD NICHOLS

John Byrd Nichols IV of Hagerstown, Maryland passed away in the late evening hours on April 15, 2024, surrounded by his family.

John was born on July 23, 1956, in Baltimore, Maryland to the late John Byrd Nichols III, and Margaret Naomi (Gaskin) Nichols.

John was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, and shared his childhood with his only sibling, Sharon Nicole (Nichols) Marcel growing up in the Roland Park neighborhood. His fondest memories in his youth were fishing with his dad in the Chesapeake Bay Waters near Annapolis and traveling to Florida with his family to visit his relatives.

As a teenager, he spent his summers in Ocean City, Maryland working at the famous Jolly Rogers Amusement Park. After high school, John worked for Bethlehem Steel in Baltimore and then for Baltimore Stage Lighting as a rigger and spotlight operator. In his early twenties, John worked for See Factor Industry Stage Lighting as a stagehand, rigger, and lighting designer. He traveled on tour with several entertainers and bands throughout the United States and Europe. Some of his favorite bands that he traveled with included Harry Chapin, Aerosmith, Joan Jett, and Blue Oyster Cult. John traveled with Blue Oyster Cult on their "Mirrors" tour and "Fire of Unknown" tour from 1980-1981. From these tours, Blue Oyster Cult released their third live album "Extraterrestrial Live" based on the successes of "Agents of Fortune" and the song "Don't Fear the Reaper," for which John was credited on the back of the album as John "Buffalo" Nichols. During this time, John met Teresa Maria (Davis) Nichols and were married on January 22, 1982.

Now a family man, he stopped touring with bands and worked for several companies in Baltimore including John Hopkins University. In 1988, John left the big city and relocated his family to the quiet country of the eastern shore taking up residence in Hebron, Maryland. Now a Master Electrician, John became the small business owner of J.B. Nichols & Sons provided electrical services to residences throughout the eastern shore and continued his stagehand and rigger occupation at the Salisbury Civic Center. He also served his community as a volunteer firefighter at the Hebron Volunteer Fire Department. 

In 1997, John relocated his family to Hagerstown, Maryland. John served the Hagerstown community at the Hagerstown Light Department servicing and maintaining all of the substations throughout the Hagerstown Community. John also continued his stagehand and rigger career through the IASTE Local 22 supporting thousands of government and entertainment events throughout the Washington D.C. area. His favorites were the 4th of July celebration on the National Mall, Washington Capital Hockey games, and entertainers such as Bruce Springsteen, Fleetwood Mac, U2, and the Dave Matthews Band.

John, notoriously known for his work ethic, worked relentlessly and tirelessly to provide for his number one priority, his family. He took great pride in teaching his children how to swim and enjoying making memories with his family at the beach.

John was a loving and devoted Husband, Dad, "Pap" and friend to all he met. Always one to strike up a conversation with a stranger and happy to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with anyone who would listen. John leaves a legacy of love, grace, mercy, kindness, and devotion to family and his faith in Jesus Christ.

John is survived by his wife of 42 years, Teresa Maria (Davis) Nichols, daughter, Kathleen Louise Davis Nichols and husband Robert James, son, John Andrew Nichols and wife Megan, son, Bryan Austin Nichols and wife Lori, daughter, Rose Marie Wolters and husband Mitch, daughter, Emily Rachel Joy Nichols, and sister, Sharon Nicole (Nichols) Marcel and husband Jeff. He has been blessed and enriched by his endearing sixteen grandchildren, Cameron, Jayden, Jazzmine, Madeleine, Caleb, Hannah, Liam, Jonas, Eliza, Anneliese, Hugo, Gerrit, Adelaide, Malani, Naomi, Elijah, and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family will host a celebration of John's life on Saturday, April 20th from 1:00-4:00 PM at Tri-State Fellowship Evangelical Church located at 13153 Cearfoss Pike, Hagerstown, MD 21740. Flowers are welcome and can be sent to 13713 Paradise Church Road, Hagerstown, MD 21742.