Lane Nichols

Vander Lane Nichols

Vander Lane Nichols was born on October 3, 1942, in Laredo, Texas, to the late Ethel Marie “Mimi” and Carl Sylvan “Nick” Nichols. He passed away on February 27, 2025, surrounded by his family. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 57 years, Rebecca W. Nichols; his daughter, Christy Nichols Frugia, and her husband Shannon of Beaumont; His son, Stephen Nichols, and his wife Melisa of Pearland. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Hailee Easterling and her husband Adam, Kelly Bergeron and her partner Sara, Mattie Bergeron, Eisley Nichols, and Emery Nichols; step-grandchildren, Micah Frugia and Jonah Frugia and his wife Kelbi Frugia; his great-grandchildren, Oakley and Campbell Jo Easterling; and step-great-grandchildren, Silas and Maesyn Frugia. Additionally, he leaves behind a community of dear friends, too many to name, who became like family after a lifelong friendship of more than fifty years.

In his early life, Lane spent countless hours at the longest continuously running Dairy Queen in the state of Texas, which his parents owned in Henderson, TX. In high school, he was a member of the Latin Club and received the esteemed Latin Trophy, which, at the time, was one of only two in Henderson High School history. He was proud of his Cherokee heritage and his familial connection to Will Rogers, whom he credited with shaping his sense of humor and contagious wit. Lane graduated from Henderson High School in 1960 and went on to attend Lamar State College of Technology, where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration and became a member of the Delta Sigma Pi Business Fraternity. He later obtained a Doctor of Jurisprudence from The University of Texas at Austin and was admitted to the State Bar of Texas in 1967.

After three years in private practice, Lane joined the City of Beaumont in 1970 as an Assistant City Attorney. He was appointed City Attorney in 1984, serving in that role for 20 years until his retirement in 2004. During his tenure, he also served as President of the Texas City Attorneys’ Association, a statewide organization of city attorneys.

Lane married his wife, Becky, in 1967 at Lakeview Methodist Church in Port Arthur, Texas. Together, they built a family of two children, five granddaughters, and two great-grandchildren, whom they showered with love, compassion, and a passion for travel. Over his lifetime, Lane visited all 50 states and many European countries, with his favorite pastime being “making memories” with his family.

Lane was active in his church community at First United Methodist Church, where he was a member of the Cornerstones Sunday school class and the Chancel Choir. His love of music began through volunteering with the Beaumont Civic Opera, Volunteer Voices and Southeast Texas Stages (formerly known as Beaumont Community Players), where he also served as a member of the board of directors. He starred in various local community theater productions, most notably as Uncle Billy in It’s a Wonderful Life and Herod in the FUMC production of Jesus Christ Superstar at the Julie Rogers Theater. He also served on the board of Beaumont Community Credit Union.

Lane’s memory will live on through his family, in which he instilled Christ-like compassion, steadfast love and devotion, and a vivacious sense of humor.

In honor of Lane’s life and in lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to First United Methodist Church or a charity of your choice.