Kenny Nichols, Triumph Talk member - RIP

[CarlS]

With heavy heart and wet eyes, I sadly announce that Kenny Nichols died last night in a fall down his steps at home. Kenny was a Triumph Talk member, motorcycle enthusiast, and personal friend. He had a very hot rodded and modified Speedmaster on which he even did wind tunnel tests to get the the right custom built windscreen. Kenny is best known for his NHRA drag racing association with MOPAR in the 1960's and 1970's.

Kenny took a fall about a month ago re-injuring a broken neck he had suffered in a motorcycle accident many years ago. That accident left him as paraplegic and he overcame it to walk, ride and race again. That was about a two year process. An old had injury from drag racing was beginning to affect his equilibrium and after his fall a month ago, he was in constant pain. He did not want to live like that nor did he wish to be a burden to others. He was found this morning by a mutual friend and neighbor. I feel bad that I was not able to be up there with him because of my foot. Had my foot not been injured, I would have been in Atlanta helping him.

Rest in peace, Kenny, and thank you for your friendship and the great times we have shared.

 

[MaeLyneS]

I am devastated by Kenny's passing. He was such a good, caring friend. When the engine on my T100 went south, Kenny came down and spent a couple of days with us. He wanted to make sure the mechanic was working on it was competent and knew what he was doing and he wanted to make sure that we got it fixed correctly.

We talked on the phone several times a week. I know he is in a better place; but I will miss him terribly. I remember watching him drag race in the early 70's and I even got his autograph. I was a big drag racing fan. It was a joy to get to know him personally and become close friends.

Kenny's wife passed away about two years ago and he was lost without her.

Thank you, Kenny. I miss you and I will miss our phone calls and visits.

 

[The Seeker]

Wow...that's sad.

I didn't realize this was the same Kenny Nicolls, the dragracer.

RIP Kenny!

 

[devo]

R.I.P. Kenny Nichols
sounds like he was one of the good guys.

 

[Dilligaf]

RIP Kenny, God bless his family and friends.

 

[DaveM]

Wow I am absolutely stunned as he used to phone me and we would have long chats, I am speechless RIP my friend I will miss our chats that is for sure :y18:

 

[Geoff587]

Never knew Kenny but I wish I had, he sounds the sort of friend we all need .

R.I.P.

 

[Silli]

So sad. :sad: RIP Kenny. Plenty of twisties up there!! :wink:
condolences to family and friends.

 

[Rocky]

Very sad to hear of a friends passing.
Best wishes to his family.

 

[The Seeker]

Do you know any of the arrangement details such as the funeral home, dates, etc?

Perhaps being a TriumphTalk member, we ought to send something????

 

[CarlS]

I have no details yet. I do know that Kenny requested to be cremated and that he has a couple of burial plots where his parents are buried. The last time I talked with him on this subject, he had a will and outlined his wishes. He made his next door neighbor and friend executor.

Obviously, there will be an autopsy to rule out foul play. Kenny's sister has been notified and she will get hold of Kenny's two sons and his daughter.

Thank you for thinking of this, AJ; I would like very much for us at Triumph Talk to do something. Mae Lyne and I plan to attend whatever service the family decides to hold. I will post more information when I have it.

 

[The Seeker]

I sure hope his children decide to follow his wishes. They really aren't obligated to do so (wills are read after the services and the most immediate next of kin have all the say so). His Sister and the executors don't have the legal power.

If h's being cremated, then they will probably choose to have a memorial service at a later date.

 

[CarlS]

That varies by state and I do not know what Georgia laws are. Here in Florida, the will is pretty much the final authority if you are smart enough to have an attorney draw it up. For example if you want to cut a next of kin out of your will, you leave them at least a dollar. That leaves that person no grounds for contesting the will. The will is there at Kenny's house. I, too, hope the kids will follow his wishes. He did not have a lot of contact with them while they were growing up - the result of a bitter divorce. He then moved back to Georgia and the kids remained with their mother on the west coast. He and his kids were not close.

 

[dazco]

I'm not very prolific here, so i wasn't real familiar with him. Nevertheless i'm very sorry to hear it. There are noting but good people here so i know he was certainly one of them. Condolences to all that knew him, family and friends. RIP Kenny...

 

[The Seeker]

Come to think about it, if the kids are coming in from CA, then this all might happen very quickly. They probably have obligations back home and won't want to make two trips East.

 

[CarlS]

One of the sons lives in Iceland, the daughter lives in California. I think the other son lives in Virginia or somewhere on the East Coast.

 

[Pooksta]

Truly sad news,

From Susie and I Down Under, may he rest in peace.

Ride On Kenny...

Lee and Susan... :sad:

 

[rod reynolds]

Kenny,
I'm sorry for your hassels. RIP and God bless your family and friends,

Rod