HR 4

MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2026 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representative Remak
House Resolution 4
(As Adopted by House)
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE, LEGACY AND PUBLIC SERVICE
CONTRIBUTIONS OF MR. DUTCH MILTON NICHOLS, FORMER MAYOR OF THE CITY OF OLIVE
BRANCH, MISSISSIPPI, AND EXTENDING DEEPEST SYMPATHY UPON HIS PASSING TO HIS
FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
���� WHEREAS, Mr. Dutch Milton
Nichols, a former mayor of Olive Branch, Mississippi, departed this earthly
life, to be in the presence of the Lord, on December 31, 2025, at the age of
90, bringing sorrow to his family, church family, friends, many citizens of
Olive Branch and beyond; and
���� WHEREAS, born on October 5,
1935, to his loving parents, Vea and D. Frank Nichols, Mr. Nichols was reared
in love, along with his siblings, Harold, William and Sandra, and in 1945, as a
child, he moved to Olive Branch and later graduated from Olive Branch High
School in 1953; and
���� WHEREAS, after completing
high school, Mr. Nichols attended� the University of Mississippi, where he was
an active student as he was a member of ATO fraternity and served as a campus
senator, and after graduating from Ole Miss, in 1957, with a degree in banking
and finance, he entered the work force and made� contributions at 1st National
Bank in Memphis and then served as an assistant comptroller of the currency
with the United States Treasury; and
���� WHEREAS, Mr. Nichols, while
working, enrolled in the Southern Law University program, affiliated with
Memphis State University and earned a law degree in 1962, and six years later,
he became an entrepreneur and opened Olive Branch Insurance Company, where he
ensured that the needs of his clients were met; and
���� WHEREAS, after making
contributions in the private sector, Mr. Nichols began his public service as an
alderman for Olive Branch, where he was first elected in 1973, and he served in
this capacity, representing his district, until 1977; and
���� WHEREAS, Mr. Nichols, after
serving as alderman, continued his public service to Olive Branch, as he was
elected as its mayor in 1977 and continued in this capacity for a remarkable
five terms until 1997; and
���� WHEREAS, throughout Mr. Nichols'
tenure as mayor, he effectively guided the City of Olive Branch through
unprecedented growth and expansion, and he was key in the establishment of the
city park, acquisition of the Wesson House and the Olive Branch Airport - all
of which are testaments of his renowned leadership skills; and
���� WHEREAS, overall, through
the service of Mr. Nichols in his role of mayor, he actively pursued any
project or businesses that� would benefit the citizens of Olive Branch, and
even after serving the city, he used his talents to serve the county as he was
elected, in 2011, to the Desoto County School Board, where he represented
District 1 until 2023; and
���� WHEREAS, in addition to
being a community servant, Mr. Nichols was a Christian as he was a member of
Maples Memorial United Methodist Church, where he joined in 1957, and he was
active in the church having served often as a chairperson on various committees
during his years of membership; and
���� WHEREAS, Mr. Nichols, who
was a Mason and Shriner, also gave back to the community as he was a member of
various clubs and civic organizations, some of which include the Rotary Club,
the Lions Club and Chamber of Commerce, which speaks volumes of his community
minded focus; and
���� WHEREAS, along with being a
community servant, Mr. Nichols received great joy by spending time with his
wonderful family and reveling in his hobbies that included painting, gardening,
history and talking as he never met a stranger as he generously shared his warm
smile; and
���� WHEREAS, the memories of Mr.
Nichols will continue to flourish in the hearts and minds of his survivors,
some of whom include:� his loving wife, Dorgie; daughter, Cindy (Barry);
grandson, Rhett (Ginger); great-granddaughter, Emily; sister, Sandra as well as
a host of other loved ones and friends, who will forever cherish the pearls of
wisdom he so freely shared throughout his 90 years of blessed life; and
���� WHEREAS, it is the policy of
the House of Representatives to pay tribute and honor a selfless individual
such as Mr. Dutch Milton Nichols who is aptly described as a community servant
and� whose service to the City of Olive Branch and DeSoto County will be
treasured by those who were blessed to know and love him as well as those
generations to come:��������
���� NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED
BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby
commend the life, legacy and public service of Mr. Dutch Milton Nichols, and
extend deepest sympathy upon his passing to his family and many friends.
���� BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That
copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Mr. Dutch Milton
Nichols and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.