James Norman Nichols, went home to be with the Lord on January 31, 2025 in Mesquite, Texas at the age of 88. He was born on September 19, 1936 on the family's allotment of land in Indian Territory (Stratford, OK), the youngest of six boys. His earliest memories were of playing with all of his cousins who lived on adjoining land. He served in the U.S. Army from 1953 – 1956, enlisting at the age of 17, with his parents’ permission. He met his wife, Barbara Ann (Smith) Nichols on January 4, 1957 and married a month later on February 2, 1957. They settled in Mesquite to raise their family and remained married for 49 years. He was a printer by trade for 37 years. He worked for the Mesquite Independent School District for 19 of those years before retiring in 1996. He enjoyed his time while employed by the school district and made many friends there while also passing on his trade to many students. He was a voracious reader and quite the Bible scholar, for the most part self-taught and led by the Holy Spirit, though he attended Dallas Bible College for a year. He loved to laugh, tell jokes, and sing old country songs. He was very proud of his Chickasaw heritage and was a member of the Chickasaw Warrior Society.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Charley and Jewel Nichols and his five older brothers, Daniel, Dean, Louis, Preston, and David Nichols, and his former wife, Barbara Nichols. He is survived by his three daughters, Karen Whitley and husband James, Cindy Holmes and husband Kyle, and Penny Shade and husband James. He leaves behind six grandchildren, Jason Whitley and wife Jonni, Brian Whitley, Troy Holmes and wife Charis, Leah Brubaker and husband Connor, Landri Wenzel and wife Liz, and Presley Wenzel. In addition, he has eight great-grandchildren, James Hunter Whitley, John Larsen, Jesse Whitley, Addison Whitley, Christian Whitley, Brighton Whitley, Graycen Whitley, and Norah Jean Holmes.
For the last thirteen years, James made his home at The Waterford in Mesquite. He loved living there and had many friends, including management and staff. The family would like to thank the residents, staff, and caregivers of Waterford for their love and encouragement to James and the family in recent weeks, as well as over the years.
Funeral services for James will be held on Wednesday, February 12, 2025 at Anderson-Clayton-Gonzalez Funeral Home in Mesquite, Texas at 10 am. The family will receive visitors at 9:30 am, just prior to the funeral. A reception will immediately follow at the same location, with a graveside military ceremony from the Chickasaw Honor Guard at 1 pm at Restland Cemetery in Dallas, Texas. In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to donate to a charity of your choice or to the Chickasaw Honor Guard. Donations may be mailed to: Chickasaw Honor Guard, 1909 Warrior Way, Ada, OK 74820.
The Chickasaw Honor Guard provides military funeral honors free of charge. Honoraria payments may be made to the Chickasaw Honor Guard for their dedicated service and contributions. These payments are a token of appreciation for their commitment to upholding tradition, participating in ceremonial duties, and honoring the legacy of the Chickasaw people and military veterans.
