Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

His light is still shining.

Between 300-400 celebrated the life of Gordon Nichols Dec. 5 at Escambia County High School’s auditorium.

Family and friends gathered for the service to memorialize Nichols, who died in an early-morning single-vehicle wreck on Nov. 29.

First Assembly of God Pastor Don Davis quoted John 10:10, and told a short story about Job.

“That hope needle, y’all are going to regain that hope,” Davis said. “There are some good days coming, and it will pass.”

Davis recalled how Nichols spoke well of his father, Randy.

“He was a fine young man,” Davis said.

Nichols graduated from Escambia County High School in 2009, went to the University of Alabama and was in real estate in Birmingham.

Tim Trent, former pastor at First United Methodist Church of Atmore, reassured Nichols’ parents, Randy and Melissa, along with family and friends, that in time, God will calm the tempest.

Summoning strength, Nichols’ sister, Walton, said her brother was always looking out for her. She said Nichols was excited when she first came to Alabama as a student, and was so happy about her work at ECHS.
“He was such a bright light,” Walton said. “Twenty-six years is too short to have a brother like him.”

During the service, Walton wore a red cardinal pin, and said she’ll always be reminded of her brother every time she sees a butterfly, a cardinal or even the sun shining.

Along with family, members of Nichols’ pledge class were in attendance. He pledged Sigma Chi, just like his father.

A few friends said some words about Nichols.

“Gordon had a heart that you couldn’t fit in this room,” one friend said. “Gordon had an eye for detail.

“He’d hang in tough with you no matter what.”

Longtime friend and fraternity brother, Tray Smith, said Nichols lit up the room.

“He was the life of the party,” Smith said.

Smith said Nichols always was entertaining and entertaining for a purpose, “to see us happy together.”

On his father, Smith said Nichols loved Randy.

“Randy, you were his idol,” Smith said. “I can’t thank you enough for my best friend. I can’t fully express how much I love Gordon.
“Gordon loved us all, too,” he said, fighting back tears.

At the end of the service, Randy thanked the community for lending its support during this time of tragedy.

“From all of our family to you, I want to thank y’all,” he said. “The outpouring of love over the past few days has been outstanding.

“In times like this, in times of tragedy, Atmore shines,” he said.