James Delbert Nichols

James Delbert Nichols, 93, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, October 9, 2020. He was surrounded by his wife of 72 years, his daughter, and his grandchildren.
"J.D." or "Deb," as close friends called him, was born on April 25, 1927 in Jadie, OK.  He was the fourth of six children of Everett and Lucy (Jackson) Nichols. J.D. was able to complete eighth grade before he was needed to help the family, but despite this, he made a successful way in the world. He leaves a legacy of providing college education and business loans for three generations of his descendants. 

After serving in the Army during WWII, J.D. married childhood sweetheart Evelyn in 1948. He began his civilian career running a bandsaw at Beech Aircraft in Wichita, KS, and through a national election by union members, he retired as directing representative over the entire International Association of Machinists Union.

J.D.– "Daddy" as his wife and daughter lovingly called him and "Papa" as his grandchildren named him–was a true rancher and cowboy. After retirement, he and Evelyn moved back "home" to Redland, where they owned more than 500 acres of land and many heads of Charolais cattle. J.D. enjoyed fishing, hunting, and taking his grandchildren and great-granddaughter on four-wheeler, gator, and tractor rides in and out of the trees dotting their serene Green Acres property.

J.D. was preceded in death by his son, Hal Nichols; parents, Everett and Lucy (Jackson) Nichols; brothers, Pete and Jack Nichols; and sisters, Beatrice (Sis) Simpson and Novelene Starnes, of California. J.D. is survived by wife Evelyn Ann (Brinkley) Nichols, daughter Deborah (Nichols) Hattan, son-in-law John Hattan, grandchildren Zeph Hattan and Andrea Hattan Stang; great-granddaughter, Aviva Stang; and brother, Troy Nichols; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 16 at 10 a.m. at the White Family Funeral Home Chapel in Idabel, OK.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, October 15, 2020 at the funeral home.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James Delbert Nichols, please visit our floral store.