Gary Robert Nichols, 56, of Eustis, FL, passed away on August 31. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, friend, and educator. He is survived by his wife Rebecca; children Daniel Nichols (Rebecca), Matthew Nichols (Logann), Cecilia Nichols, and Elizabeth Chapman (Alva); parents Judith and James Nichols; siblings Lisa McDonald (Daniel), Joel Nichols, and David Nichols (Katrinia); grandchildren Bella Eberle, Charlotte Nichols, and Henry Nichols; and nieces and nephews Rayanne Shull (Brian), Melinda McDonald, Kevin Hamlin, Nicholas McDonald, Jaymes McDonald, Kobi Quick, Jace Nichols, Morgan Nichols, and Evan Nichols. Despite his young age, he lived a very full life, brought positive energy everywhere he went, and touched the lives of thousands.

He was born in Hollywood, FL on April 28, 1965, and spent his early years in South Florida. His moved to Lake County in 1979 and he graduated from Mount Dora High School in 1983. He earned his A.A. in Marketing at UF in 1986 and his B.S. in Marketing at UCF in 1987. He later completed his MBA at USF in 1995.

Gary met his wife, Rebecca, in 1986 when they were set up on a blind date by their grandparents. They recently celebrated 34 years of marriage. He has been active in civic and community affairs while balancing his professional career and assisting his wife with raising their four children.

He spent some of his best years coaching various sports teams with his sons and daughters. He also spent many years involved in scouting with his sons and both cheerleading and gymnastics with his daughters. He loved all sports, but spent most of his adult life enjoying golf with his family and friends.

Gary's first career was with Publix, where he worked his way from a clerk in 1981 to a Store Manager by 1997 in a career lasting over 20 years. It was during this time that he found his true calling as an educator. He started as an Adjunct Instructor at South Florida Community College, but found his home as an Instructor in the Management Department at UCF's College of Business in 2006.

His specialty areas included Conflict Resolution and Negotiation, Strategic Management, Customer Service, Team Building, and Leadership. He served on the Regional Campuses Faculty Forum, Information Technology Resource Advisory Committee and as a member of the Office of Student Conduct Board. He also worked with UCF Continuing Education providing workshops and consulting with organizations such as Adventist Health Systems (AHS) Florida Hospital, Orange County Clerk of Court, State Attorney's Office District 09, and several others.

He took pride in every community in which he lived, even serving as the Mayor of Lake Placid, FL from 2002 through 2004. Over the years, he held numerous memberships and served as an officer of various organizations. He was an adult leader for the Boy Scouts of America from 1997 until 2004; a member of Rotary Club of Lake Placid from 1997 until 2004, eventually serving as a Board Member; a member of United Way of Lake and Sumter Counties from 2010 until 2016, eventually serving as an Executive Board Member and Secretary; and a member of the Rotary Club of Winter Springs from 2018 until 2021, where he served as Program Chair.

Above all, Gary loved his family and the time he spent with them. He developed special relationships with all of his children and their spouses, and he took great joy in his grandchildren. He was an amazing father to not only his children, but also to any of their friends, teammates, and co-workers that ever had the pleasure of meeting him. Countless lives will continue to benefit from the examples he set with his leadership, family values, and humor.

A celebration of life will be announced at a later time. In lieu of flowers, Gary would have wanted everyone to donate to the charity of their choice.