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To: Rules
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026
By: Representative Remak
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 4
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE, LEGACY AND PUBLIC SERVICE 1
CONTRIBUTIONS OF MR. DUTCH MILTON NICHOLS, FORMER MAYOR OF THE 2
CITY OF OLIVE BRANCH, MISSISSIPPI, AND EXTENDING DEEPEST SYMPATHY 3
UPON HIS PASSING TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS. 4
WHEREAS, Mr. Dutch Milton Nichols, a former mayor of Olive 5
Branch, Mississippi, departed this earthly life, to be in the 6
presence of the Lord, on December 31, 2025, at the age of 90, 7
bringing sorrow to his family, church family, friends, many 8
citizens of Olive Branch and beyond; and 9
WHEREAS, born on October 5, 1935, to his loving parents, Vea 10
and D. Frank Nichols, Mr. Nichols was reared in love, along with 11
his siblings, Harold, William and Sandra, and in 1945, as a child, 12
he moved to Olive Branch and later graduated from Olive Branch 13
High School in 1953; and 14
WHEREAS, after completing high school, Mr. Nichols attended 15
the University of Mississippi, where he was an active student as 16
he was a member of ATO fraternity and served as a campus senator, 17
and after graduating from Ole Miss, in 1957, with a degree in 18
banking and finance, he entered the work force and made 19
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contributions at 1st National Bank in Memphis and then served as 20
an assistant comptroller of the currency with the United States 21
Treasury; and 22
WHEREAS, Mr. Nichols, while working, enrolled in the Southern 23
Law University program, affiliated with Memphis State University 24
and earned a law degree in 1962, and six years later, he became an 25
entrepreneur and opened Olive Branch Insurance Company, where he 26
ensured that the needs of his clients were met; and 27
WHEREAS, after making contributions in the private sector, 28
Mr. Nichols began his public service as an alderman for Olive 29
Branch, where he was first elected in 1973, and he served in this 30
capacity, representing his district, until 1977; and 31
WHEREAS, Mr. Nichols, after serving as alderman, continued 32
his public service to Olive Branch, as he was elected as its mayor 33
in 1977 and continued in this capacity for a remarkable five terms 34
until 1997; and 35
WHEREAS, throughout Mr. Nichols' tenure as mayor, he 36
effectively guided the City of Olive Branch through unprecedented 37
growth and expansion, and he was key in the establishment of the 38
city park, acquisition of the Wesson House and the Olive Branch 39
Airport - all of which are testaments of his renowned leadership 40
skills; and 41
WHEREAS, overall, through the service of Mr. Nichols in his 42
role of mayor, he actively pursued any project or businesses that 43
would benefit the citizens of Olive Branch, and even after serving 44
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the city, he used his talents to serve the county as he was 45
elected, in 2011, to the Desoto County School Board, where he 46
represented District 1 until 2023; and 47
WHEREAS, in addition to being a community servant, Mr. 48
Nichols was a Christian as he was a member of Maples Memorial 49
United Methodist Church, where he joined in 1957, and he was 50
active in the church having served often as a chairperson on 51
various committees during his years of membership; and 52
WHEREAS, Mr. Nichols, who was a Mason and Shriner, also gave 53
back to the community as he was a member of various clubs and 54
civic organizations, some of which include the Rotary Club, the 55
Lions Club and Chamber of Commerce, which speaks volumes of his 56
community minded focus; and 57
WHEREAS, along with being a community servant, Mr. Nichols 58
received great joy by spending time with his wonderful family and 59
reveling in his hobbies that included painting, gardening, history 60
and talking as he never met a stranger as he generously shared his 61
warm smile; and 62
WHEREAS, the memories of Mr. Nichols will continue to 63
flourish in the hearts and minds of his survivors, some of whom 64
include: his loving wife, Dorgie; daughter, Cindy (Barry); 65
grandson, Rhett (Ginger); great-granddaughter, Emily; sister, 66
Sandra as well as a host of other loved ones and friends, who will 67
forever cherish the pearls of wisdom he so freely shared 68
throughout his 90 years of blessed life; and 69
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ST: Dutch Milton Nichols; commend life and
legacy of former mayor of Olive Branch and
extending sympathy upon his passing.
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to 70
pay tribute and honor a selfless individual such as Mr. Dutch 71
Milton Nichols who is aptly described as a community servant and 72
whose service to the City of Olive Branch and DeSoto County will 73
be treasured by those who were blessed to know and love him as 74
well as those generations to come: 75
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF 76
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby 77
commend the life, legacy and public service of Mr. Dutch Milton 78
Nichols, and extend deepest sympathy upon his passing to his 79
family and many friends. 80
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be 81
furnished to the family of Mr. Dutch Milton Nichols and to the 82
members of the Capitol Press Corps. 83