John L. Nicol, 64, formerly of Topeka, passed away at home on Sunday, October 14, 2012 from complications of pancreatic cancer.
John was born on January 29, 1948 in Topeka, Kansas to Melvin and Betty Nicol. He graduated from Shawnee Heights High School in 1966, and enlisted in the United States Army in 1967. He served in Germany and Vietnam before returning to Topeka.
John joined the Topeka Fire Department in 1972 and retired in 2000 with the rank of Training Chief. He was a member of IAFF Local 83 and served as treasurer and secretary. John was one of the first firefighters on the Topeka Fire Department and in the state of Kansas to receive the certification of Fire Medic and EMT. During his time with the fire department, he earned a Fire Science Technology Degree from Kansas City Kansas Community College and an Industrial Safety and Health Certificate from Washburn University.
John taught Fire Science Technology for Kansas City Kansas Community College for 15 years. He also taught hazardous materials response classes for the State of Kansas Fire Marshal's office and the State Capital Area Fire Fighters Association. He also was an adjunct instructor in the Department of Industrial Safety and Health at Washburn University.
John is survived by his wife of 41 years, Regina Nicol (Creason). He is also survived by a son, Jason (Kristi) Nicol and granddaughters Emily and Abbigail of Shawnee, Kansas; and a daughter, Monica Meek (Chris Sturgeon) and grandson James of Topeka.
He is also survived by a sister, Deanna (Larry) Coats of Meriden; a brother, Larry Nicol of Topeka; three nephews and many cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents.
After retiring from the fire department, John worked in the proshop at Lake Perry Country Club. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, traveling with Regina, and playing golf.
Funeral ceremonies will be 11 a.m., Thursday, October 18, 2012 at the Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Chapel, 1321 SW 10th Ave., Topeka. Interment will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Topeka. The family will receive friends from 6-7 p.m., Wednesday, at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Topeka VFW Post 1650 in support of Vietnam Veterans suffering from the effects of exposure to Agent Orange; the Cancer Treatment Centers of America; or Midland Hospice.
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