Loris Mayor “Buck” Nichols succumbs to illness

Loris Mayor Henry L. “Buck” Nichols passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2019, at approximately 4 p.m. He had returned home from the hospital for two days before returning to The Loris McLeod Hospital emergency room. He was admitted to the I.C.U. department where he succumbed to his illness.

Nichols was in his first term of office. He was voted into the office of the mayor of the city of Loris on Dec. 15, 2016, and took the oath of office on Dec. 31. He was quoted in his Facebook post, “Thank you Loris. Today marks my first day as mayor. I am appreciative of all the love, encouragement and support you have shown me and my family.” He continued with, “Loris Moving Forward Together”. Surely these are the same sentiments he would say to the citizens of Loris as well as the Loris City department heads upon his death.

Nichols is a native of Loris and served his community as chairman of the 2010 Census for the city of Loris and as chairman for the Horry County Affordable Housing Commission. As Lieutenant Colonel Nichols, he retired from the United States Marine Corps where he was a logistic officer and chief financial officer.. He holds a B.A. in history from Howard University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of the District of Columbia. He worked for the state of Maryland Department of Human Resources as C.E.O. where he oversaw the $1.8 billion budget that included the divisions of grants. He also served as the assistant vice chancellor for budget, finance and athletics for North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, N.C.

He met his wife Veda at a military barbeque and they were married in 2007 when they decided to return to Loris. Nichols insisted that Veda would love the small town atmosphere.

As an individual citizen of Loris Henry “Buck” Nichols was a true believer in God, prayer and worship. As both an individual and the mayor of the small city of Loris, he was willing to meet with residents on his back porch to discuss concerns of the city. He was willing to listen to the concerns residents had. He was welcoming to any and all, even with his health issues; he didn’t lose his smile and friendly banter as he spent time traveling around town to see what was going on.

Nichols will be missed as an individual as well as his leadership to the city of Loris.

May he rest in peace knowing that he has accomplished so much in such as short time, such as cleaning up the city of the debris, drugs and crime, and his help with the city events, and the Loris Bog-Off Festival. His presence was obvious throughout the events, shaking hands and speaking kind words to friends and citizens.

Funeral arrangements have not been officially posted as yet but an email was received by the media and city workers the service will be held on Monday, March 4, at 11:30 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Loris.