George L. (Jack) Nichols Jr., age 90, of Joplin, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, January 25, 2019, surrounded by loved ones. He was born to George L. Nichols Sr. and Opal Farel on June 4, 1928 in Bakersfield, Missouri.
George graduated from Bakersfield High School in 1945 and taught at the high school level for a short time before moving to Benton Harbor, Michigan, where he worked at Whirlpool for 19 years and for Pinkerton Detective Agency. He moved his family to Joplin in 1967 and worked for Frisco/Burlington Northern Railroad for 25 years before retiring in 1993. George was a member of the Mt. Hope Church of Christ. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, and enjoyed collecting guns, fishing lures and tackle, coins, and glassware. You could often find him at the local auctions chatting with friends and new acquaintances. George loved to be outside in the sunshine raising vegetables and fruit in his garden, which he supplied his family and friends with for many years.
George married Bonnie Mae Blaylock on June 25, 1949 in Sodus, Michigan, and they spent 69 happy years together. Survivors include wife Bonnie; daughter Patricia (Gary) McElroy; three sons, David Nichols, Jeff (Sally) Nichols, Brian (Shelly) Nichols, all of Joplin; 9 grandchildren, Jay (Shawna) McElroy, Casey (Angie) McElroy, Chris Nichols, Lisa Nichols and Cherie Wallace, Ben (Noel) Nichols, Courtney (Steve) Gale, Nathaniel (Erin) Nichols, Zachary Nichols, and Lauren Nichols; 12 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren. George is also survived by two brothers, Joe Nichols of Covington, Georgia, and Donald Nichols of Conyers, Georgia. He was preceded in death by his parents and 2 brothers, James (Guy) Nichols and Joseph Nichols.
Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday at Mason-Woodard Chapel. Burial will be at Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery following the service. Frank McReynolds will officiate. Pallbearers will be five grandsons, Jay McElroy, Ben Nichols, Zachary Nichols, Nathaniel Nichols, Steve Gale, and family friend, Shelby Howard.
The visitation will be 6-7:30 p.m. Monday at Mason-Woodard. Memorial contributions may be given to Mount Hope Church of Christ in care of the mortuary.
Arrangements are under the direction of Mason-Woodard
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