In Memory of Ronald L. Nickens March 1, 1924- September 15, 2010

Last night our fire alarm went off and we could find no reason so we replaced the battery and returned to bed. Around 2:30 am.

Eddie came in after driving Alex to school this morning and said Ron set off the alarm as he passed by on his way to meet the Lord.

In 1982 Ron came into our lives while Eddie was employed by Texas Utilities Mining Company, and was instrumental in teaching Eddie the art of Non-Destructive testing. Eddie would take him around to test on the draglines and while he worked Eddie observed. He was very interested in the job and Ron felt he would be good at it and therefore began the beginning of a new career as well as a great friendship.

This career change has benefited us greatly financially as well as given Eddie the opportunity to travel to places he would never otherwise have gone, such as Turkey, Casa Blanca, and Africa.
Alex and I have traveled over much of the United States with him on his jobs.

Ron was a tall, gentle spoken man. It always amazed me that he kept everything clean after swimming in the same grease that my husband brought back in his suit case. He always spent a good deal of time cleaning his instrument before he put it in his bag and also made certain he had nothing on himself. He was a perfectionist this way. He had invented many things concerning his trade and he shared many of these with Eddie and they shared the different techniques that Eddie invented himself. In the beginning they were pretty constant companions on the jobs.

I remember we were in West Virginia and they were on that particular job together and we had supper with him. This became something we did each time they would be together at one place.

For years his wife traveled with him just as I did with Eddie, but in the last years she remained home and he traveled alone, therefore we were company for him at meal times. I met Delores Nickens at the airport in Longview for the first time while waiting on the Eddie to arrive. She was waiting for Ron also. This gave us opportunity to visit from time to time. We went to their home once and visited as Eddie helped Ron with some project on their lake property. From that point we began exchanging Christmas cards as well as gifts sometimes.

She smoked but Ron did not. He was diagnosed with diabetes several years after I was and therefore after our meals together we would take a brisk walk. I think sometimes Eddie would have sooner stayed seated having climbed the 200 foot boom that day, but he always walked.

Her health began to suffer and she has to have an oxygen bottle with her now everywhere she goes. I do believe she has quit smoking now.

We saw both of them at the I Hop in August and Ron being the gentleman he always was gave me a hug and told me I looked prettier now than the first time he saw me. He didn't stand as tall as before but that beautiful face still didn't have a wrinkle in it and his burr haircut was the same. His blue eyes held a sadness that just did not reach the smile he tried to give. It broke my heart but we were both so very glad to have bumped into them. Delores said he did not want visitors in the hospital which kept us away and Eddie sent me to get flowers at the hospital and have them sent to his room.

I will always feel the Lord let us have that last time together short as it was. It was no coincidence that I had left first to go the the restroom and then could not find Eddie because he had passed their table and sat down to speak with them. Had I not came back in looking for him, I would not have seen them standing in line and had the opportunity to actually say my goodbyes forever to Ron and possibly Delores also.

I just spoke with Delores and she told me of a story about Eddie and Ron which started the first time they met. Eddie told Ron he didn't believe in the testing but he would watch and see. So Ron asked him if he had to prove everything he believed, which was truly hysterical in on sense. It is positive proof he does because of his great faith in Jesus Christ. We do not know for certain if Ron knew the Lord personally or not. Delores said he was ready to go and if he was ready she was. Eddie had never point blank asked him if he was saved or not. And in these latter times never had the opportunity. We pray he was.

Eddie and I both feel very blessed to have known and loved this man and will always be grateful that he passed our way.

He worked until he was diagnosed with lung cancer, well into his 80"s.

He will be missed.