Obituary of James "Jim" Norman Nichols

James "Jim" Nichols passed away in the Jubilee Home on Sunday June 12, 2016 at the age of 84 years. Jim leaves to mourn his passing: his loving partner for 34 years: Verna Kinshella; Verna's Children: Diana (Allen) McKinnon, Darlene (Guy) Scarf, Darwin (Nancy Aston) Kinshella; Jim's Children: Norma (Vernon) Dembicki, Doreen Gurnett, Ernie (Linda) Nichols, James (Deanna) Nichols, Gordon (Cindy) Nichols, Dean (Charlie Medlicott) Nichols; Daughters-In-Law: Jeannine Choquette, Marie Nichols; 23 Grandchildren; 26 Great-Grandchildren; 3 Great-Great-Grandchildren; Brothers: Don Nichols, Gerald (Irene) Nichols; Brothers-In-Law: Tom Brady, Jack (Theresa) Brady; God Daughter: Debbie Brown. The Funeral Service for Jim will be conducted from the McCaw Funeral Chapel, Lloydminster, Alberta on Friday, June 17, 2016 at 11:00 AM. Interment will be at the Livelong Cemetery at 3:00 PM. Donations in memory of Jim may be made to the Alzheimer Society. James Norman Nichols was born at Indian Point, Turtle Lake, Saskatchewan on June 17, 1931. He passed away on June 12, 2016 at the age of 84. Jim was the second of seven children born to Ernie and Nora Nichols. On August 4, 1950 he married Margaret Brady. By June 1962 they had six children. The family moved to Lloydminster in May 1964. Dad was truly a jack of all trades. He was a farmer, an excellent horseman, he worked on the railroad, in construction, was a precise backhoe operator, a bartender, an oilfield maintenance foreman and a rigger to name a few. He operated a rig for Border Drilling and trained all of his sons to be riggers. In 1982 while pushing tools for Leyen Oilwell he was backed over by a water truck and never worked again. He had an amazing voice and loved the old hymns. In his younger days, he would sing and yodel like Wilf Carter. Dad was predeceased by his parents, Ernie Nichols in 1950 and Nora Fitzgerald in 1993. His stepfather Jack Fitzgerald. Three brothers, a baby in 1934, Gordon in 1959 and George in 1985. His only sister Jean Cydejko in 2007. His in laws Tom Brady and Wilma and Hollis Guyette. George Cydejko, Vi Nichols and Theresa Brady. The mother of his children Margaret Nichols in 2004. His son-in-law Stewart Gurnett in February 2016. Jim is survived by his partner of 34 years Verna Kinshella. Step children Diana and Allen Mckinnon, Shantel and Latasha. Darlene and Guy Scarf, Braden & Kelcie, Tanner & Kenzie. Darwin Kinshella and Nancy, Brandon and Jordon. Two Brothers, Don Nichols of Livelong. Gerald and Irene Nichols of Medicine Hat. Two Brothers-in-law. Tom Brady, Jack and Theresa Brady all of Livelong. By his two daughters and four sons, nineteen grandchildren, twenty-six great and three great great. Norma and Vernon Dembicki. Lionel & Sherri, Glen & Janelle, Vince, Veronica & Kelly Kowatch, Lori Dembicki, Shannon Kelly and Janice Noeth. Doreen Gurnett. Helen & Pat Carrier, Pauline & Mike Morley, Timothy. Ernie and Linda Nichols. Rodney & Sabrina, Taralyn & Nigel, Crystal & Vinnie. James and Deanna Nichols D’Arcy Larmour, Cody Nichols Gordon and Cindy Nichols Travis Bertrand. Dean Nichols and Charlie Medlicott Terence & Megan, Josh & Nicole, Amanda, Damian, Ericka Sim, Jessica & Josh Burns, Mitch Medlicott. Daughters-in-law Jeannine Choquette and Marie Nichols. His goddaughter Debbie Brown Numerous Nieces, Nephews, Cousins and Verna’s extended family. After our last family barbeque in May at Jim & Dee’s. I said “it was sure nice to see all the kids again hey Dad.” He replied “yes and the adults too.” Dad’s funeral Service was conducted from McCaw’s Funeral Chapel on Friday June 17, his 85th Birthday. He was laid to rest in a family plot at Livelong Sask. Card of Thanks: The family would like to extend a special Thank You to Joel, Glenn and Brett McCaw. Once again you made a difficult time much easier for us. Also to pastor Gord Hanson for praying with Dad and leading the service at the chapel and the grave side. Thank you to the pallbearers grandsons Lionel, Glen & Vince Dembicki Terence, Josh & Cody Nichols Braden & Tanner Scarf Honorary Pallbearers: Vernon Dembicki, Vernon Matthews, grandsons Rodney, Timothy, Damian & Travis. All of the granddaughters and great grandchildren. Thank you Dr Govender for the years of care. Thank you to the caregivers at the Jubilee Home who made the last three years bearable for Dad. A special thanks to those who prayed with us, helped make a memory on the 7th. Those who cared for Dad during his last days and hours. Thank you Dr Kostic for all you did to bring Dad back to us in March. We have many special memories of the past three months with him. Thank you to our friends and family for all the Love, Flowers, cards and phone calls. We love you all. Norma,Doreen Ernie, James Gord, Dean & Families