James Raymond William Nickols, 80, died Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2022.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, Oct. 7. Private family burial will be held at Omaha National Cemetery.
Arrangements are with Kahler-Dolce Mortuary in Papillion.
James Raymond William Nickols was born June 6, 1942 in Wakefield to Raymond and Leora Nickols. He had five sisters; Wauneita, Lorraine, Lavonne, Joan and Ethel. He graduated from Wayne High School in 1960, where he lettered in football. Right after, he joined the Air Force and served four years overseas. Following his military service, he worked for ITT, where he built radio and TV towers across the nation.
On Valentines’ Day 1970 his daughter, Anita Johanna, was born. Three years later he had his son, Jerome Phillip. He worked for Millard Public Schools for over 20 years and retired at the age of 58. Family was always the most important to him. He made sure to attend all of his grandchildren’s school activities and sporting events. When Anita deployed to Iraq in 2010, he was a fulltime caregiver to his youngest granddaughter, Mallory.
His passions in life include the pride he took in his yard, flowers and gardens, feeding the birds and squirrels on his patio and sitting outside to chat with the neighbors. The Huskers were constantly on the screen and cooking soup in the winter was a must. He was always prepared with a welcome mat and a cookie for anyone who came to his house. He will truly be missed by many people but will forever be in the hearts of his family and his legacy of being an amazing son, brother, father, grandfather and great-grandfather will continue.
Survivors include his children, Anita (William) Hays and Jerome (Fernanda) Nickols; grandchildren, Marlenna, Michael, Mallory and Beatriz; great-grandchildren, Mackenzee, Maison, Maizee and Malix; and sisters, Lorraine and Ethel.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Leora Nickols; and sisters, Wauneita, Lavonne and Joan.
