Odis "Nick" Nichols, Sr.

Odis Lamar “Nick” Nichols, Sr. of Fayette, MO passed away surrounded by his family on February 10, 2018 after a brave battle with cancer.

Nick was born December 29, 1935 in Shreveport, LA to Willard Samuel Nichols and Wilma Marguerite Pilcher Nichols.  He lived in Louisiana until joining the United States Marine Corps which he served honorably during the Korean Conflict from 1953 – 1956.  While in the Corps, he met the love of his life, Retha Fern Noland.  They were married on December 22, 1956 in Lake Charles, LA continuing their love affair for 61 years of marriage.   Their union produced three children, Wendy Gail, Odis Lamar “Nick,” Jr. and Audrey Layne.  He loved his wife, children and other family members more than anything in the world.

While he was proud of his family first and being a Marine second, he always celebrated the Marine Corps birthday with friends and fellow Marines.

He was passionate about animals including his dogs and cats, horses, fish and wild birds.  He enjoyed a large vegetable garden and new flowers each year.  He was excited by the annual 4^th of July and Christmas gatherings for his family and friends.  Nick loved a good joke or two, playing pitch, tossing washers, trail rides, fish fries and barbeques.

His past memberships included the Fayette Post 4616 Veterans of Foreign Wars where he was a life member and served as Commander and was a member of the Howard County Trail Riders Saddle Club.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Wendy Nichols-Breckle; grandparents; parents, including step-father, Dave Dought and brother, Roger Dale Dought.

He is survived by his wife, Retha Nichols of the home; son, Nick Jr. (Leesa) of Camdenton, MO; daughter, Audrey (Brian) Harmon of Salisbury, MO; son-in-law, Mike Breckle of Jefferson City, MO; nine grandchildren, Nicole (Jason), Adrian (Will), Cooper (Corey), Brianna, Sarah, Colby (Kaetlyn), Carson, Emmett (Carissa and Davis (Hannah) as well as six great-grandchildren, Meghan, Samantha, Tucker, Landon, Rory and Aubree.  His surviving siblings include Bobby Davis, A.D. (Gloria) Davis, Darlene Smith,  Dusty (Shelia) Dought, Carl (Freddie) Nichols, Loye Nichols, Kay Smith and Sue (Don) Hill.  He was loved and cared for by his sister-in-law, Lois Souders during the last months of his life.  He was crazy about his nieces and nephews and the many friends he regarded as family.  He will be missed tremendously.

The family would like to thank the doctors and staff at the Harry S Truman VA Hospital, the University of Missouri Medical Center, the Ellis Fischel Cancer Center and the Hometown Homecare for the care and kindness provided to Nick.

A graveside service with military honors will be held at 2 PM, Friday, February 16, 2018 at Mt. Pleasant Christian Church Cemetery rural Howard County located on North State Route A.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Fayette PAWS Program.

Condolences may be shared at www.carryager.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Carr-Yager Funeral Home, Fayette, MO.

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