Milton Lawrence Nickel, 86, of Polson, MT passed away on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, in Polson.
Milton was born on November 1, 1936, in Fresno, California to Homer G. and Edith Shaw Nickel. He was the second of two boys. His family moved to San Angelo when he was in 8th grade. They lived on the Twin Mountain Ranch 7 miles West of the Tom Green County Courthouse. Milton liked to tell how he chopped prickly pear with his brother at the ranch the summer of 1950. They killed a total of 113 rattle snakes. He went to Robert E Lee Junior High the 1st year it opened in 1949. In the spring of 1954, he was saved at Harris Avenue Baptist Church.
He attended San Angelo High School and graduated in 1954. He excelled in many sports including track and basketball. He played guard on the Varsity basketball team for all three years of high school. He was second highest scorer in district his senior year averaging 20 points per game. Milton received a scholarship to play for the University of Utah Utes Fall 1954. He was granted the opportunity to participate in a game against the Harlem Globetrotters. He was a substitute player for the opposing team and did his best to guard against Marcus Hayes.
Milton played basketball for San Angelo Junior College Rams from 1955 until 1957. He was the co-captain of the team that won the NJCAA National Tournament in Hutchinson, Kansas in 1957. The team had a record of 31 – 2 that season. He was very proud of this accomplishment. He played for the Sul Ross State Lobos 1957-1958 where he received his master’s in business education. He had received athletic scholarships for all his education, and he liked to brag that his father never had to pay for any of his schooling. He continued to play basketball at the Midland YMCA from 1958-1976.
After college Milton taught distributive education at Midland High School for 4 years. In 1960, he opened a used car business “buy here pay here” where he worked part time. He was awarded a new car franchise in 1962 for the Chrysler line of cars and trucks. In 1964, he opened Nickel Chrysler Plymouth Dodge Imperial standalone dealership. Along with the Chrysler lines he also dealt American Motors, Honda, Subaru, Saab, and Isuzu. He was one of the 1st Honda dealers in Texas. He also sold Winnebago RV’s. Nickel Chrysler sponsored the Dallas Cowboys furnishing players a demo from 1963 – 1966 including Craig Morton. In 1986, he sold his new car business. During his 62 years in the car business Milton sold over 250,000 new and used cars, trucks, and RV’s.
He married Marsha C. Hawkins in 1957 and they had 3 children, Nancy N. Howell, Larry E. Nickel, and David M. Nickel.
During his time in Midland, he was a member of the Masonic Lodge #623, and was the chair of the Better Business Association for 4 years. He was an excellent golfer who had the low “West Texas” drive.
He moved to Kalispell, Montana in 1987 where he eventually opened 8 used car lot locations throughout Western Montana as well as married his second wife Rebecca D. Keller. He helped found the Prostate Cancer Fund Golf Tournament at Buffalo Hill Country Club in Kalispell, Montana. Milton enjoyed hunting, fishing, and backpacking around his cabin in Lake City, Colorado. Whenever he visited San Angelo, he enjoyed getting together with the “Lunch Bunch” Mondays thru Fridays. The last 40 years of his life, he enjoyed giving compliments to others to bring a smile to their face. He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Robert A Nickel, and daughter Nancy N. Howell.
Milton is survived by his wife, Rebecca of Polson, MT; son Larry Nickel and wife Annette of Missoula, MT, son David Nickel and wife Kristine Monk of Colleyville, TX; grandchildren, Ashley Howell of Santa Fe, NM, Megan Howell of Los Angeles, CA, Elizabeth de Porras and husband Ramiyro of Mexico City, Mexico, Logan Nickel of Missoula, MT, Hillary Roby and husband Jeremiah of San Antonio, TX, Caleb Grady and fiancé Shanie Glasgow of Euless, TX, Kendall Lackey and husband Scott of Wahiawa, HI, and Kaci Monk of Colleyville, TX; and 10 great-grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, July 21, 2023, at Harper Funeral Home Chapel with a burial to follow at Fairmount Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Scottish Rite for Children.
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