He was proceeded in death by his parents, Gordon and Helen Clark Nichols.
John leaves to cherish his beautiful memories, his soulmate and beloved wife, Penny Crothers Nichols, of Mobile, one son; John R Nichols, and two daughters: Ann (Darren) Griffin and Melissa (Mike) England, step-son; Mathew Kunkle and step-daughter; Melissa (Jason) Labart. Ten Grandchildren: Cody Holcomb, Ceceelya Burgess, Jacob Nichols, Chelsea Johnson, Brent Johnson, Shelby England, Alexandria England, Nicholle England, Madison Labart and Dana Labart. One great-grandson; Kameron Holcomb, all in the greater Kansas City Missouri area. Two brothers: Gordon (Carolyn) Nichols of Lexington, Kentucky and Jack Nichols of Walled Lake, Michigan. He is also survived by four nieces: Tina (Joey) Payne, Rhonda (Randy) Sewell, Jasmine (Adrian) Herbst and Jennifer (Rob) Terwillger, along with extended family members and a host of wonderful friends.
He starting playing music and singing at the age of four. John had the ability to play any instrument he picked up, but his favorite was playing the bass guitar. John always joked that he had to play an instrument to do what he did best, sing.
John served for a short stint in the Air Force, but being the rebel, he was, that didn’t work out well for him. John went to trade school to be a machinist and worked those types of jobs when the music gigs didn’t pay all the bills. It didn’t matter what type of vehicle, from big rigs to sports cars, he loved to drive. That ability gave him a profession later in life.
John always had a deep faith in God and had always said his mother prayed him into the Kingdom. He was a licensed minister of the Gospel and loved telling people about Jesus.
What he loved above all things was his family. His wife, brothers, children and grandchildren. He was a loyal friend and always looked for the positive in every situation. No matter how bad things were, John would always say he was “simply wonderful”.
A Celebration of Life service will be held Thursday, March 28, 2019 at 2 p.m. at Pine Crest Funeral Home
"John's family requests that all guests wear Hawaiian or brightly colored attire in his honor".
In honor of the beautiful memory John Robert Nichols leaves with us, memorials may be made to The Outpost Church, 7250 Government Blvd, Irvington, AL 36544; (Building Fund).
