Mr. Paul M. Nichols

Paul Munnerlyn Nichols died Thursday, June 25, 2015 at Phoebe Putney North Hospital in Albany. His funeral services will be at the graveside, 10 AM, Monday, June 29, 2015 at Oakview Cemetery. The Rev. Biff Coker will officiate. The family will receive friends, Sunday, June 28, 2015 from 3 PM to 4:30 PM at Kimbrell-Stern Funeral Directors. Paul Munnerlyn Nichols was born January 16, 1931 to the late Robert Dicks Nichols and Florence Munnerlyn Nichols. Paul graduated from Albany High School in 1948 and the Georgia Institute of Technology with Bachelor of Aeronautical Engineering in 1952. Next he entered the U.S. Navy and became a naval aviator at Pensacola in 1953 and served as a seaplane, patrol and transport command pilot until retiring with the rank of Commander in 1972. He worked for 11 years at Lockheed, Marietta as a flight test engineer before returning to Albany as Assistant Engineer Manager for Rockwell Aircraft which later became Ayres Corporation and now Thrush Aircraft. Until 2010 Paul was an F.A.A. Designated Engineering Representative, and he was a Professional Aeronautical Engineer. As Vice President of Engineering at Ayres Corporation, Paul was principally responsible for the technical design, development, test and served as the certification test pilot for the Ayres Turbo Thrush Agricultural Aircraft, one of the first turbine powered aerial application aircraft in the nation and the world which remains the continuing line of business at Thrush Aircraft presently and for the foreseeable future. Paul was a member of Covenant Presbyterian Church and served as Deacon, Sunday school teacher, and Church Trustee. Paul was a kind and loving father, grandfather, husband and friend. His pleasant spirit will be missed and always remembered. He is survived by his wife: Barbara T. Nichols, of Albany, two sons, John M. Nichols and wife Jennifer, of Kennesaw GA, and Robert Nichols, of Atlanta, his daughter Mary Dubois and husband Robert, of Ball Ground, GA , three grandchildren: Paul Munnerlyn Nichols II, Leslie Nichols, and Taylor Nichols, one great-grandchild, Paul Munnerlyn Nichols III. You may sign the online guest register and share your thoughts and memories with the family of Mr. Nichols by visiting Kimbrell-Sterns website at www.kimbrell.com.

Mr. Paul M. Nichols

January 16, 1931 - June 25, 2015