Rodger D. Nichols

Rodger was born in South Bend, Indiana on January 6, 1952, to James “Guy” Nichols and Geneva Durham.

Rodger attended North Kansas City High School and later attended Metropolitan Community College to earn a degree in HVAC. He worked for Jefferson Smurfit in North Kansas City, MO for many years and finished his working career as everyone’s favorite maintenance man at Shook, Hardy & Bacon, L.L.P.

Rodger lived a life full of love, laughter, and dedication to his family and friends. His passions and interests touched all who knew him. He loved visiting and telling stories about his childhood home in Michigan. He had a lifelong love of world history. He loved working on cars, and he could fix anything. He was the original Do-it-Yourselfer and Grill Master. His greatest passions; however, were his family and faith. Rodger undoubtedly loved God and relished every moment he had with his family.

He is survived by his wife, Kim Nichols; children, Marcus Nichols, Jeremy Nichols, Ashley (Robert) Neill, and Sarah (Matthew) Heiman. He is also survived by his stepfather, Darrel Peters; sisters, Virginia “Darlene” Mustion and Diane Simons; and brothers, Rickey Nichols and Dean Peters. He was blessed with 8 grandchildren: Halie, Andrew, and Mason Nichols; Braxton and Kinley Neill; and Scout, Sloan, and Campbell Heiman. Rodger is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and extended family, all of whom he loved dearly. They will forever carry his memory in their hearts.

Rodger was preceded in death by his mother, Geneva Durham-Peters; father, James “Guy” Nichols; stepmother, Fay Nichols; brother, Larry Nichols; nephew Craig Nichols; and niece, Jenny Findley. He was also preceded in death by in-laws, John and Dorothy Porter.

A celebration of Rodger’s life will be held at White Chapel Funeral Home on January 4, 2025, at 11 AM. Friends and family are invited to attend and share their memories.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.