James Robert Nichols, son of Robert (Bob) and Peggy Nichols was born
April 5, 1951, in Beloit, Kansas, and went to be with the Lord on March
23, 2022, at Smith County Memorial Hospital, Smith Center, at the age of
70.
Jim graduated from Alton High School with the class of 1969. After
high school Jim attended Colby Community College, and Fort Hays State
University, then returned to Alton to farm. He farmed for many years,
with his father-in-law Harold Carswell, and later in life with his son
Brock.
On June 8, 1975, Jim married Carol Carswell in Alton, Kansas at the
Alton United Methodist Church. In August 1978, Jim and Carol welcomed a
son, Ryan James, to their family. In June 1981, their second son, Brock
Harold, joined the family. Over the years, the family grew to include
two daughters-in-law, and nine grandchildren. Jim loved his wife, his
sons, and their families dearly and held his years with his grandkids
close to his heart. While Jim was a strong and occasionally stern
father, as a grandpa he softened into a playful and loveable, some may
even say he was a ‘mainly mild-mannered man’.
Jim spent his life as a farmer and rancher, while Carol taught
school, and together they built a life and a family he was very proud
of. On the farm, Jim loved crop farming, while Harold and later his
sons’ passion of raising Hereford cattle rubbed off on him. He was
active in the agricultural community, volunteering his time to various
organizations like the Farm Service Agency, Kansas Livestock
Association, Kansas Hereford Association and American Hereford
Association. Even in retirement, Jim continued his lifelong commitment
to agriculture by mentoring younger farmers and helping with harvest
each fall.
In addition to serving the agricultural community, Jim also served
the community of Alton and his church community. Jim was a familiar
staple in the Bull City Opry at the Alton Jubilee, where he always
played the role of comic relief. He was a member and trustee of the
Alton United Method Church.
Jim truly enjoyed life in so many ways. In his free time, he loved
to travel and had been to 47 states. He had a kind heart and often could
be found making new acquaintances and turning them into friends on his
travels. He loved watching NASCAR races, fishing, and tailgating at
K-State games.
The greatest pride of Jim’s life were his sons, and his grandkids.
He spent as much time as possible following their lives, activities,
sports, and livestock showing and even just playing with the littler
kids. In his final days, he spoke of his pride in his sons and all they
have accomplished, which he said he could never have done himself, but
he truly enabled through his commitment as a father and grandfather. In
the end, he shared the advice that we should all work less and enjoy our
families more.
Jim’s family will miss his voice while fixing fence, nursing a
newborn calf, putting up hay, and having a drink in the shop after the
work is done. May we all remember Jim as ‘a mainly mild-mannered man’.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Nancy; and brother, Randy.
He is survived by his wife Carol (Carswell) Nichols, Alton; son,
Ryan (Kesha) Nichols, St. Louis, Missouri; son, Brock (Carolyn) Nichols;
nine grandchildren, Avery, Emma, Zoe, Coy, Colt, Knox and Flint
Nichols, Willow Lake, South Dakota; Merritt and Hayes Nichols, St. Louis
Missouri; sister, Becky (Jim) Byrd; and many special friends and
family.
Click HERE for service details.