Don Nicely was born June 30, 1954 in Santa Maria, California to Quillie and Berthabelle Nicely. He remained in Santa Maria throughout his childhood, attending Nightingale Elementary, Lakeview Junior High and finally graduating from Ernest Righetti High School. It was during his childhood that he developed his lifelong love of fishing, walking over to Waller Park daily. Don loved to fish and spent many hours throughout his life with a fishing rod in his hand. Don was active in the Cub Scouts and then the Boy Scouts. While in high school he was a very active member of the FFA, serving as club president and being the first to receive the State Farmers Award. He had a well decorated FFA jacket with a majority of his badges in Hortamental Horticulture. He had a love for growing flowers and plants and built his own greenhouse in his early teens that is still standing and in use today. Don was an entrepreneur in his own right, with his first business venture involving the growing and selling of $50,000 worth of daffodils that he recruited most of the town to assist in. He spent a lot of time with his grandparents traveling the state of California and learning the art of taking care of the customer. He lived in the state of California for thirty years spending hours enjoying the outdoors - hiking, fishing and accomplishments including hiking the 213-mile John Muir Trail. In 1984 he decided to embark on a new adventure and with little more than a brief case moved to his forever home Casper, WY. Don worked for various oil field companies throughout his first several years in Casper, with his work taking him all over the world. He would tell you that he had traveled enough miles to circle the world seven and a half times and he had the passport stamps to prove it. He had a soft spot for children and made sure to provide something for all that he came across in each and every country that he visited. In 1990 he settled into tool manufacturing and opened his first machine shop called Applied Downhole Technologies, owning several others throughout the years, with the last being Turntec Manufacturing that he was able to grow from one building to a campus that now includes ten buildings. He was known to be a great leader and was admired by all that worked with him. He made a point to talk to each of his employees every day and made sure that they were aware of the value he knew they brought to the team. He inspired those around him to be their best self and did not stop until he pushed them to reach their full potential. Don found great joy in helping others - always there for a helping hand and a listening ear. He was a lover of all animals and throughout his years had nearly every pet you could imagine, wild and domestic. He was generous to his community, regularly sponsoring activities and events, especially those that supported children.

Don is survived by this wife Deana Nicely, their dog Maya and two cats Samson and Oliver; his five children Chad Nicely, Jeremy (Cody) Nicely, Heather Nicely, Misti Nicely and Quillie (Rosie) Nicely; three step children Kodi (Tangney) Dockham, Mandy (Eric) Blajszczak and Roscoe (Carman) Dockham; sixteen grandchildren; sisters Virginia (Harry) Olson and Patricia Nicely; and brother John (Nicole) Nicely.

Don was preceded in death by both of his parents and his sister Aquilla.

In lieu of flowers and in recognition of his love of animals and assisting kids in the community the family asks that you consider a donation to:

Casper Humane Society
849 East E Street
Casper, WY 82601

Or

Platte River Judo
910 Bristol
Casper, WY 82609

Services will be held on Saturday, February 8th at 2:00 pm at the Newcomer Funeral Home with a celebration of his life to follow at The Hall on Ash located at 355 S. Ash Street. All are encouraged and welcomed to attend.To share a special message with his family, please click the "Share Memories" button above.