Clara Lou Nicklas

Clara Lou Nicklas was welcomed in Jesus’ loving arms on July 15, 2022. Clara was born west of Hanna, Oklahoma in McIntosh County to Dick and Roxie Spear on April 8, 1938, during an unseasonable record breaking blizzard that put a stranglehold on the state and prevented the doctor from getting to their house to help with the delivery. Dick Spear eventually relocated his farming and ranching operation to land west of Dustin, Oklahoma. Clara graduated from Dustin High School and went from there to Wilburton, Oklahoma to attend Eastern Oklahoma A&M College where she received a certification in secretarial services.

The next stop was Midwest City and employment at Tinker Air Force base. Her faith in God led her to attend church in Midwest City where she met a tall, handsome man who would become her best friend, soul mate and father of their two sons. Clara married Jim Nicklas on May 26, 1959. She became a stay at home wife and mother. Clara and Jim were charter members of Meadowood Baptist Church.

Clara’s legacy is first and foremost, her family. She especially loved being “Gran” to her three grandchildren. Besides her influence on her own family, Clara had a lasting impact on the fortunate families who benefited from her childcare services.

After Clara’s two sons reached early junior high age, she began providing early pre-school daycare service in her home for friends and other families of Midwest City. Ms. Clara, as she was known, was a positive formative influence to many families’ children in the Midwest City community. Her strong Christian faith and her belief in teaching respect, manners and self-control was an unexpected bonus to those families. Her Christian influence on these children helped those parents jump start their children to achieve many successful careers and occupations later in those children’s lives. Only parents understand the power, importance and peace of mind that gives you when you drop off your children at a daycare facility. When Ms. Clara relocated to the Oakdale area, her reputation preceded her and she continued her legacy of providing childcare services as she did in the Midwest City community.

Clara was preceded in death by her father, Dick Spear; mother Roxie Spear; sister, Laverne Rogers; and husband, James R. Nicklas. She is survived by her son Jeff Nicklas and wife Connie of White Deer, Texas; their daughter, Emily and husband Jon Garfield; her son Tim Nicklas and wife Cara; their son, Connor and wife Michelle; and son, Evan; all of Oklahoma City.