WISE, VA.                                    DECEMBER 30, 2022

Daniel Douglas Nicholas, 73, born to Little Pigeon & Grey Owl in Detroit, Michigan and was a proud member of the Munsee-Delaware Nation in Canada. As the family grew, they made their way to Brownsville, Ohio.  Dan attended THE Ohio University, was a member of ROTC and graduated with a BSA in Fine Arts.  He was a professional, award winning American Indian artist that had many shows throughout the Unites States and Canada where he won a National Award for a painting called "The Birth of Man".  Dan's art hangs in many private collections as well as The Royal Ontario Museum and many government buildings in both the United States and Canada.  Daniel was a Captain in the United States Army and a Vietnam War Veteran.  He was stationed at Fort Sill Oklahoma where he taught race relations and then moved to Fort Meyers in Virginia where he was a member of the Old Guard.  After his military career he was in corporate management at Martin Brower in Solon, Ohio and SUPERVALU in Richmond, Virginia then returning to his passion and roots serving Veterans as a Disabled Veteran's Outreach Program Specialist with the Virginia Employment Commission.  He received more joy helping Veteran's stabilize, then the countless hours he put in. A lifelong learner he was an avid reader, enjoyed music, playing guitar, and singing.

Dan was a member of The United Methodist Church and attended Wise Trinity United Methodist Church.  He served as their Lay Leader and loved his church family very much.  He also authored weekly prayers he read at church and shared via Facebook.  Dan has also been featured in several written publications and a contributing author and illustrator of other written publications most notably, Cry of the Ancients , The Lovely World of Little Pigeon and Leave No One Behind, Daily Meditations for Military Service Members and Veterans in Recovery (Hazelden).

In 1981 Dan became a member of Alcoholics Anonymous.  He served diligently and kept coming back for 41 years.  As he grew and was able to give back it is unknown how many people, he helped find sobriety in AA.

Dan was a proud member of the American Legion, Post 243 and enjoyed volunteering with his fellow members.

The true love of his life was Eva Lee Underwood Nicholas, who he met under a tree at "Pilgrims Rest" flashing his contagious smile.  This became their first home in Bull Run, VA.  where they started their family.  This special place would be a place they both cherished, had many memories and love, always being able to reflect to this special space and time to sustain them.  They enjoyed 41 wonderful years of marriage.

Daniel is survived by his wife of 41 years, Eva Lee Underwood Nicholas; daughter, Kwana Nicholas; daughter, Maya Nicholas Messer; son-in-law, Joshua Messer; son, Michael Lee Nicholas; grandchildren, Cheyenne Nicholas, Dominique Woolwine, Daniel Marcum, Neenah Lowe and Elton "EJ" Lowe. Preceded in death by his parents, Little Pigeon and Grey Owl; brother, Irving Simms; sister, Dixie Barnes; brother, David Nicholas; sister, Paula Nicholas; son-in-law, William "BJ" Lowe.  Surviving family members are sister, Leona Mark; brother, Tom Mark, brother, Duane Nicholas; sister, Diana Nicholas; brother, James Nicholas; brother, John Nicholas; countless nieces, nephews and estranged daughter, Julia May Nicholas.

Funeral Services for Daniel Nicholas will be conducted at 2:00 P.M. Monday, January 2, 2023 at the Sturgill Funeral Home Chapel in Wise, VA with Pastor Phillip Bates officiating. Burial with Military Rites will follow in the Smith-Gilliam Cemetery in Wise, VA. The family will receive friends from 12:00 P.M. till time of services at 2:00 P.M. Monday, January 2, 2023 at the Sturgill Funeral Home in Wise, VA.

Please visit www.sturgillfuneral.com to leave online condolences for the family.

Sturgill Funeral Home 1621 Norton Road SW Wise, VA 24293 is in charge of arrangements.