James Levi Nichols Jr. Lt. Col. USAF Retired

Our beloved husband and father, James Levi Nichols, Jr. passed away Wednesday, May 13th at the age of 89, with his family at his side. J.L. was the oldest of three children born January 2, 1921, to James Levi Nichols, Sr. and Grace Augusta Carroll. He spent his formative years under the open skies of the Oklahoma and Wyoming Oil Fields. His father James Sr., a district foreman, worked for Standard Oil requiring the family to move frequently, never settling in one place for very long. It seems likely that these landscapes, full of both grandeur and isolation would engender a passion for flight. J.L. graduated from military school in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and then attended the Colorado School of Mines for one year. He subsequently enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps to become a pilot and pathfinder, flying 55 missions in a Martin B-26 Bomber in WWII, and 60 missions in a Douglas B-26 Bomber in Korea. His many awards include the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with 13 Oak Leaf Clusters. After the war, he continued his education and received a BS degree from Florida Southern College and a second BS degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Colorado. The remainder of his Air Force career was served as a Civil Engineer. The family was stationed around the country and in the Philippines. In 1965, he served a one year tour at the military base in Nha Trang, Vietnam, as a civil engineer and officer in charge of the construction of base housing. After retiring in 1969, he started a second career in business; owning and operating several small businesses in south and central Texas. He met Janie Rogers, secretary to the president of the college at UT Arlington, in January 1949. Six months later they were married, beginning a 61 year romance that never lost its intrigue. Two children were born of this marriage: Jana Leigh and Lisa Carol. J.L. was a very private person, interested in airplanes, business, engineering and construction of all types. Although he sported a stoic military bearing, the caregivers at the Summit at Westlake Hills, where he spent his last 2 years, will testify to his kindness and patience, a creative intelligence and always the unexpected display of wit. He will be missed. James L. Nichols, Jr., is survived by his lovely wife Janie; daughters, Jana Rice and husband Rob, and Lisa Nichols; granddaughter, Amber McCall and husband Brian, step-grandson Eric Rice and wife Telisha; great-grandson, Kyle McCall and step -great grand children Zariyah, Braylen and Dylan Rice; sister, Iris Harrison; and nephew James Harrison. A graveside service will be held at the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio with full military honors at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, May 20, 2010. We would like to send special thanks to the nurses and caregivers at the Summit at Westlake Hills and Seton Hospital for the respectful care of our loved one.