Gregory Ray Nichols

Gregory Ray Nichols was born to William and Myrtice Nichols on September 18th, 1951, in Cleveland, Ohio. Gregory passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, July 21st, surrounded by his wife of 34 years, Marlene, his stepdaughter Marci, his close friend Thomas Lawhun, and brother Michael. He is survived by his wife, Marlene, his step son Jess McSwain and wife Dana, of Kingsley Lake, FL, his step daughter Marci Glisson and her husband Earl, of St. Augustine as well as his oldest sister, Patsy Lawson of Starke, his brother Michael Nichols of Scottsdale, AZ, and his youngest sister, Colleen Brannen and brother in law Mitch of Lake Butler, FL. Brother-in-law Donald Carter of Kingsley Lake, FL; sister-in-law Susan Nichols of Starke, FL, and sister-in-law Kay Nichols of Oak Island, NC. Gregory was predeceased by his parents, his sister Janet Carter, and brother Philip Nichols. His 8 grandchildren, Shawn Glisson (Brittany), Stacey Taylor (Luke), Matthew Brown (Megan), Ryan McSwain, Chase Glisson (Elissa), Fairyn McSwain, Brianna Fooshee (Tod), and Brayden McSwain (Layna) 21 great-grandchildren, Logan, Asher, Gavin, Dayton, Cali, Everly, Joc, London, Luna, Scottlynn, Scout, Mattix, Mason, Madilynn, Mackenlee, Haven, Emery, Easton, Eisley, Kaius, and Haidyn, as well as 2 great-great-grandchildren, Uriah and Roman, all of whom he cherished and adored. To his grandchildren, he was simply known as Papa G. As a young child, Gregory moved with his family to Starke, FL, close to the small town of Brooker, FL, which was his mother’s childhood hometown. He attended local Bradford County schools and graduated from Bradford County High School in 1969. Gregory went on to attend college at Hillsborough Community College in Tampa. From there, he attended Sante Fe College in Gainesville, FL to gain his police standards. In 1981, he began his career as a deputy with the Bradford County Sheriff”s Office, and in 1982 he began employment as a Lieutenant with the City of Starke Police Department until 1987. He resigned from there and became an investigator with the Public Defender’s Office in Bradford County until 1990. After a break in law enforcement and relocation to St. Augustine in 1997, he again joined law enforcement with the campus police department at the School for the Deaf and Blind in 1999. From there, he gained employment with the City of St. Augustine Police Department under the leadership of Chief Lauren Leuders, where he continued in law enforcement until retirement in 2014. After his retirement, he remained active and volunteered at St. Gerard Campus as the driver for the students. He then began working part-time at the AMP supporting special events and concerts. He enjoyed chasing that little white ball that most called playing golf, and before his illness, he had become interested in pickleball. In October 2025, he had to leave his position at the AMP when he became ill and was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma and End-Stage Kidney Failure. During his tenure at each location and facility, Gregory gained many acquaintances and friends. And as many of you know, he did that easily with his easy-going personality, wit, humor, and many of his “Nichols” sayings and stories. Gregory loved the mountains, and fortunately in May of this year he was able to travel with his family to Whitefish, Montana, and to visit Glacier National Park, which is a place that he had always wanted to visit. A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at Anchor Faith Church, 2121 US 1 South in St. Augustine. In lieu of flowers, Greg would be grateful if donations would be made to St. Jude, https://www.stjude.org/, in his honor. Those desiring may leave messages of sympathy and encouragement by going to his tribute page at: https://www.stjohnsfamilyfuneralhome.com/obituaries/gregory-nichols-5/#!/TributeWall. St. Johns Family Funeral Home of St. Augustine is assisting the family with arrangements.

Gregory Ray Nichols

September 8, 1951 - July 21, 2026