James “Jim” Edward Nichols, age 89, passed away on Thursday August 29th, 2024, at Fitzgibbon Hospital in Marshall, Missouri.
Memorial graveside services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday, September 13, 2024, at Sunset Gardens Cemetery in Marshall, with William W. Harlow officiating. Memorials are suggested to the Saline County Holiday Project or the Marshall Homeless Shelter fundraiser in care of Campbell-Lewis Funeral Home. Friends may sign the online register book at www.campbell-lewis.com.
James was born on August 16, 1935, in Saline County, Missouri to Guy Percival Nichols and Bessie Mae (Powers) Nichols. He was child number nine out of eleven siblings. After graduating 8th grade from the old country school down the road, Jim helped his dad and mom run their small farm, later hiring himself out to work for neighboring farmers. He was later hired on as a mechanic/maintenance for FM Stampers which later became Banquet Foods and currently is ConAgra, Inc. in Marshall. He made many a lifelong friends during his 44-year career with that company.
On September 25, 1954, James and Anna Josephine “Jo” Walker were united in marriage in Marshall, and of that union came two children: Pamela Kay Nichols and Cynthia Jo Pointer both who currently reside in Marshall. “Jim and Jo” became just “Jim” in October 2018 when God called Jo home. They enjoyed 64 years of marriage, and this transition was hard. His greatest hope was to live out his remaining years in the home they had shared together. He loved watching the birds (he always fed them regularly) and the cat make her way for her morning meal.
He suffered a hip fracture in May 2024 and with declining health, spent those last few months in hospitals and nursing facilities. God, however, answered prayers, and James was only away from his beloved home for about 3 and 1/2 months before passing.
He is survived by his two children, Pam and Cindy; four grandchildren Mike Nichols of Seward, AK, Keith Jordan of Marshall, Angela Thomasson (James) of Paola, KS, and Jeremy Pointer of Marshall. He is also survived by his great-grandchildren: Abby, Basia, Gabe, and Sugar; as well as his only great-great-grandchild Zara. His only remaining sister, Barbara Claggett survives him, as well as brother-in-law, Bob Walker and wife Nancy.
In addition to his parents and wife, he is predeceased by his siblings Marie, Elizabeth, Percy, Lindy, Junior, Maxine, Thelma, Ruth, and Martha.