Tyrel Wayne Nichols
(1983 - 2009)

Snowflake's Terel Nichols joins late brother as state champion
By: Keith Morris , The Independent can be found at: http://www.wmicentral.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20263259&BRD=2264&PAG=461&dept_id=505964&rfi=6

Snowflake's Terel Nichols has a good grip on Holbrook's Adrian Perkins during their 189-pound championship bout during the 3A individual state finals on Saturday. Nichols won 7-3 to join his late brother, Tyrel, as a state champion.
PRESCOTT VALLEY - Terel Nichols had a lot of family members on hand to cheer him on in his bid to win a state wrestling championship on Saturday.
"About 13," he figured.
There was one missing, however.
The Snowflake senior's older brother, Tyrel, did not occupy a seat at Tim's Toyota Center to witness the 3A individual state finals.
Sadly, the 2002 state champion recently took his own life.
"He got mentally ill," Terel Nichols said of his brother. "He wasn't all there."
Tyrel was a big part of his younger brother's life and was a key to his success on the wrestling mat.
And, although he wasn't physically there in the arena on Friday or Saturday, he certainly was there in spirit.
"Oh yeah," Terel said when asked if his brother was in his thoughts as he posted a 7-3 victory over Holbrook's Adrian Perkins to win the 189-pound championship and cap a 45-4 season. "It was hard but I wore this thing he took state in," Terel said, lifting his sweatshirt to revel the uniform with the block "S" his brother wore seven years ago in claiming the 171 3A title.
He wanted nothing more than to join his brother at the top of the medal stand.
"It feels good," he said. "My brother took his (title), now it's my turn...It was something I wanted to do."
He was hoping to win it all a year ago but had to settle for second place. Winning a championship took on greater significance for him when he lost his brother during his final season.
"I wrestled for six years before doing it," he said. "It's what me and my brother always wanted - to have two state champs in the family. So, I finally got it."
Terel is one of nine children. He has five sisters and one living brother. His oldest brother, Taj, died in 1987, nine years after falling into a pool and suffering brain damage as a 2-year-old. The large family offers him plenty of support in grieving for Tyrel.
"It means a lot (that) I could do it for them," said Terel, also a standout football player. "It kind of helps them too as long as it helps me. It means a lot. They're all supporting me and my brother's up there with me too, so it's good."
Tyrel was a big supporter of his younger brother on the mats.
"The last tournament I took was Moon Valley and he was there with me and I took first," Terel said. "I was named Most Outstanding Wrestler, had the most takedowns and most pins. After that he passed away and in my next tournament, I took fourth (at the Doc Wright Invitational). It was really hard for me."
But he was determined to succeed in his final tournament for both himself and his brother.
"I knew I could take state and I pulled it off," Terel said.

I met Ty through a guy i was kind of dating and we became friends instantly. I would have to say that for about a year Ty was my bestest friend, I could count on him for anything and no matter what else he had going on he always had time to make me feel important. If I ever needed advice or just someone to talk to no matter what time of day or night I knew I count on Ty. If it were not for Ty I would not have met my husband who I have a two month old little girl with. I love you Ty and I'm soo greatful that I had the chance to be in your life.

Ty was a really good friend of my daughter Kaylyn. He came to lake powell with us for a week a couple of summers ago. He drove his new red CTS with new 20 inch Chrome wheels, He was a little bummed when we got there cuz they were a little big a had grooves and chunks taken out of the tires when we got up there. He was like the pied Piper with all the younger kids in my family. They had their "secret Club" with the "secret" things they talked about. One day he took all the younger kids for a walk and ty came back with burnes on his hands. I quess they started a fire and it stared spreading really fast and ty was trying to patt it out with his hands and stomp it out with his feet. He was a good wakeboarder. He was working on his back flip that trip. That was right before he was leaving to go to school in Missouri. I am glad to have been able to get to know him on that trip and am thankful to him for the love and support, frienship and advice he always offered to my daughter Kaylyn. She loved him alot. He will be missed.

Ty was just beyond awesome. The first time we met him, it was as if we had known him forever, a great talker and super friendly. So this one time, he took us over to his cousin's house...it was Ty (the only guy) and five other girls...Yeah we all crammed into his small red car. He made us laugh the whole way there with the way he drove. He told us his cousin spoke Spanish, so we came up with this plan to act as if we only knew Spanish. When we got there, his cousin was our "supposed" translator and he asked us questions about Ty. Ty was totally in on our little scheme so he laughed to himself, although he really didn't understand what we were saying since all us girls spoke to his cousin in Spanish. The best part was when his cousin asked us, "So which one of you girls wants Ty?"..we all laughed and talked to each other in Spanish, saying "Oh no no, none of us want him like that"...he looked over to Ty and said "Oh, they all want you!" It was just all hilarious. We walked out and didn't tell his cousin that we did speak English. Ty will truly be missed and he was definitely one of a kind, he had the sweetest attitude and purest heart.

I have had the wonderful opportunity to have known Ty for a very long long time. I have many awesome and funny memories of Ty and the old 5th ward scouting adventures and camp outs (those who were part of that group know exactly what I am talking about) where so much mischieve and hillarious events took place that I will never forget.
One of the best story that I like to tell others about Ty happend a few years back when the Suns were playing the Lakers in the NBA Finals. It was I think game 6 of the series the Lakers were playing the Suns at home. A few hrs before the game Ty swung by my house in the valley and was hasseling me to go to the game with him. I told him there was no way I was going to pay big bucks to watch that game, so I stayed home to watch the game. Well the game started and around the middle of the first quarter I recieved a picture message from Ty of him sitting in the LEXUS lounge and text saying you should of came. Game 6 of the Suns and Lakers Ty had some of the best seats in the house, while I sat at home watching it on a 32" TV. To this day I have no idea exactly how he got those tickets, but sharing this story with other friends he seemed to be able to pull off what seemed to be impossible more often than not.
No matter what you did or where you went, if Ty was there it turned into a interesting and memorable expierance. I am going to miss you Ty so much, thank you so much for being my friend. It has been a honor and great privelage to have you as part of my life. All the stories and memories together will never be forgotten.

To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
But first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there are no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."

It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man."

God gave me a list of things, which he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.

When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
Because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.

I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.

There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
But together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
That as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.

If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
Then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
Knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.

So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
Just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.

And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
Remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.

Ty was one of the best friends a guy could have; he was never selfish and always thinking of others. I have so many good memories growing up with Ty, like wrestling tournaments, snowboarding, or going to the gym. I always knew Ty as a high spirited kid, with ambition and a love for the Gospel. I was so amazed to see the man he had become especially after his mission. About a week after I returned home from my mission Ty was asked to speak at a youth conference, so we all went to support Ty. He gave one of the most fascinating and spiritually uplifting talks I had ever heard. My deepest sympathy goes out to the Nichols family! Ty was truly an inspiration to me! I’ll miss you buddy

Ty's spirit and intellect transcended religion and mortal confines. I spoke at length with him about his beliefs in religion and science; he had a masterful way of combining the two into a truly beautiful and spiritual way. I will miss Ty and remember him in many ways, more ways than I can write in this little space. Those who knew him know that he didn’t have a mean bone in his body unless you were facing him on the wrestling mat! I will be keeping his memories alive in my mind and I will tell my kids about their uncle when they are old enough. His energy will live on within us all.

One of my fondest memories of Ty was him chasing me, Rachelle and Tasha with a belt while running all through the house. We spent hours trying to hide under covers, squeeze into tiny closets and run away from him as fast as we could before he was able to whip us. The whole time we were encouraging and teasing him to "come and get us." It hurt like hell but it was so much fun!

Tyty was really strong, and proud of it. When I was around 13 years old, Tyty would come up to me and act like he just wanting to give a hug, so I would foolishly take to the invite everytime and I would give him a hug. All would be well until he would put me in a death grip and squeeze you as hard as he could. Alot of the time he wouldn't let go until you said "Ty is the coolest ever, Ty is smarter than me, Ty is attractive, I love you Ty", or just until you would agree to do something for him like make him food.

Elder Nichols served in my hometown of Junction City, Oregon. I was only fourteen at the time and not a member. He taught me the discussions. When it got to the the plan of salvation he drew it out. He put himself on the drawing with these big buff arms. I still have it. He also drew faces on the people on the cover of the gospel principles. He named them after everyone in my family. Unfortunatley, he was transferred a few days before my baptism but he will forever hold a spot in my heart.

Ty was always a quiet be there for you anytime sweet heart! He could make you feel better about anything just by being in the room. My very best memory was our Senior year when we got a snow day and Ty, a foreign exchange student (can't remember his name) a bunch of other friends and I all when sledding and hung out all day. We ended up going back to my mom's house to eat fry bread with Hobo Stew and watch disney movies. Ty could quote a line you never noticed was there before and knew all of them. He truly was an inspiration to look up to. He will be remembered for his caring heart, sweet soul, gorgeous smile, and his ability to make you feel like the most important person in the world. (and yes Ty we will always remember what an awesome wrestler you are!! Very impressive!) Thanks for being my friend when I needed it the most! You will be missed.

Ya Tasha your right Ty always had to show his dance moves:) I can remember from JR. High to High School he always made the dances with his Krazy moves! And yes it was the smile at the end when he knew he was the man:)

I remember when we were kids we would always have dance contests. I would always try so hard with the coolest dance moves. No matter how hard I tried Ty would come out there with some break dancing moves and win every time. Everyone loved watching him dance and he would act like he didn't know but when he was finished and made that Mr. Cool Joe smile you knew he he knew how good he was.