 | Ted Nichols (fifth from left) stands with his uncle Ken Nichols (fourth from left) and with the staff of Nichols’ Hardware in 2001. Photographer Sarah Huntington took a similar photo in 1991 and planned to take another photo like it in 2011. Photo courtesy/Sarah Huntington. |
On Sept. 5, three Purcellville residents, including Edward E. “Ted” Nichols III, 64, owner of Nichols’ Hardware, and his wife, Karen Nichols, 63, died in a car crash near Front Royal.
Local residents remember a quiet man and a woman with a contagious laugh who loved each other and their children and who poured their time into the community.
The crash also claimed the life of Doris Degraw Louer, 90, Karen Nichols’ mother. All three died at the scene after the 2008 Chevrolet Suburban in which they were passengers went off the road and struck a tree at about 2 p.m., according to Virginia State Police.
The driver, Robert Frederick Louer, 65, of Green Cove Springs, Fla., and passengers Marilyn F. Louer, 62, Cynthia Louer Fusselle, 51, and David Louer, 71, all sustained injuries, the extent of which are unknown. All occupants were wearing seat belts and alcohol was not a factor, Virginia State Police Sgt. Les Tyler said.
Lisa Brown, of Kearneysville, W.Va., grew up in Purcellville and lived next door to Ted and Karen Nichols for about 10 years. Her mother, Ruth Ann Curtis, of Berkeley Springs, W.Va., was a good friend of Karen Nichols and sometimes babysat for the Nichols’ two children, Mark and Alison.
“I feel like I’ve always known Karen and Ted,” Brown said. “They both are peppered throughout my memories of growing up. [They] were two of the kindest people you will ever meet.”
Brown and her sister, Linda, were friends with the Nichols’ children, who the Nichols doted on. Alison was sick from birth and died when she was only 21.
“When it would snow … they had a special sled for Alison and they would bundle her up, put her sunglasses on her and pull her around,” Brown said. “Allison always had a smile for you when you talked to her and that [came] from how much love she felt from her parents.”
Even after the Nichols moved to a new house, Brown kept in contact with them.
“Any time I saw them, it was as if no time had passed.”
Pat Smale, an employee of Nichols’ Hardware for 25 years, regards the Nichols’ loving care for their daughter as one of their greatest legacies.
“They took care of that sick child from birth to death and that was their life for 21 years,” Smale said. “Today they should be angels, along with that child, for what they did.”
In addition to spending time with his family, Ted also spent many hours at Nichols’ Hardware, where he was the owner and manager. He was sometimes there six or seven days a week, and his employees have all been there more than 15 years. One employee has worked there for 58 years.
Ted Nichols’ father and grandfather both served on the Purcellville Town Council, but Ted Nichols preferred to lead behind the scenes.
“He was a very friendly, very quiet guy,” said Purcellville Town Manager Rob Lohr, who has worked with the town since 1993. “He wasn’t the kind to be out on a big project making a lot of noise. He cared very much about the town.”
To contact the writer of this article, email Rachel Leon at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
My sincere condolences to the Nichols family. I only knew Ted and the store for 3 years as a rep supplying rope and doormats. He made it seem like we were friends for much longer. You will be in our thoughts and prayers. paul mccabe
eI lived in Purcellville in th ‘60’s and ‘70’s and worked for Milton at the Appliance Center for several years. Got to know the Nichols family very well and never met a finer group of people. The untimely of Ted and his wife and of Ed jr several years ago is certainly a big loss for the community. My condolances to Milton, Kenny and the rest of the Nichols clan. May God bless you all.
This resonates with all who have suffered loss. To my friend, Susan D. - you are lucky to be related to such fine pioneering business people.
Susan P., Winston-Salem, NC
Gives Thanks for including in the post. Follow the blogs listed as good love the residential area.
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Looks many another of them I already acknowledge. Just rest of them besides feeling good. Added my bookmark. thanks.
I remember going to the hardware store with my father and then many years later with my husband when looking for certain kinds of nails, etc. A true Loudoun County/Purcellville business with truly wonderful people. They will be missed.
how sorry to hear of this. this has been a great family and a great hardware store. you could find every thing you needed and they were always there to help. what a loss in our town and county. our prays are with the family and our loss for a great family.
As I did not know Ted and Karen personally I did know some of the extended family. My fondest memories as a child was going to Nichol’s Hardware to see Santa. That was when Purcellville had everything you needed from hardware to clothing and penny candy at the 5 and dime. Way before Wal Mart came to life. Such a tragedy. Thoughts and prayers to the family.
1978 was when I had the pleasure of beginning a freindship with Karen and Ted Nichols. Karen and I both were pregnant at the same time; I had a child at home so my husband kept him and Ted and Karen picked me up for child birth classes. We rode back and forth each week. It was a wonderful friendship and I cherish the time I spent with them before and after our children were born. Katie was born in March 1978. Mark followed a couple of months later. They both were so excited that they were having a child. Mark, Debbie and family, please know that your entire family are in our prayers and thoughts. Tee, Karen, and Mrs Lauer, May you rest in eternal peace.
I remeber working there.And growing up knowing them both. Both Ted and Karen are looking down on us and watching over us all.My prayers and thoughts go out to the rest of the family.Thier legacy is the way the loved one another and everyone else. God Bless and God Rest. Sincere condolences
We are very sorry to lose Mr.and Mrs. Nichols. Their continued stewardship of the business has helped the community and currently featured on the Loudoun Tourism website. The whole town mourns them and hopes their family will be consoled by our genuine condolences.
What an honor to have known Ted and Karen and Karen’s mom Doris! Their generous, kind hearts touched everyone who met them. They gave us the greatest gift of their son Mark as our son-in-law, married to our daughter Deborah. And the gift multiplied in the birth of two wonderful grandchildren, Natalie,6, and Luke, 2, who were the delight of Karen and Ted’s life. We shall all miss them very, very much!
What a loss for the Purcellville community. Having grown up there, several of my brothers worked for Nichols Hardware and the nostalgic return to our youth is something that comes alive to this day when we walk into the door of that store. It’s hard to imagine Ted not being there.
My thoughts and pryaers are with the family many of whom I know having worked at Nichols Hardware during my years at Loudoun Valley High School in Purcellville. Ted and his wife Karen were two of the nicest, most genuine people I have ever known. I left Purceville for college but went back as often as I could. I took my son by for him to see what a “real” hardware store is like. I have always looked back on my time at Nichols with gratitude and fondeness. The community has suffered a tremendous loss. Ted and karen were wonderful people and will be missed by many.
I am so sorry for all of the friends and families affected. I just met Ted about 2 weeks ago,and came to Nichols Hardware too discover my roots. My extended family (Asa Moore Janney’s Father) would help stock the store until midnight. This was around 1914. Janney Owned the Home Run Clothing Store in Purcellville in those days. Dean Thews- Frederick, Md.
Karen’s sense of humor which she imparted to her daughter Allison, and Ted’s quiet and kind mannerism which he imparted to their son Mark will be their legacy. Such a wonderful family- My heart goes out to Mark and his family.
My heart goes out to the family and friends of Mr. and Mrs. Nichols. They were a part of Loudoun County for many years. Nichol’s Hardware will never be the same without them. God bless you both.
This is another terrible tragedy in a wonderful family that has meant so much to Loudoun county. Every visit to Nichols Hardware reminded you of what a special business it was and what wonderful genuine old-time community values it embodied. Sincere condolences.
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