John Nichols Memorial

     Rev. John Nichols (August 17, 1923 - July 1, 2011) was a part of the religious history of Vernon Country.  Serving as pastor at Calvary Baptist Church in Nevada for several years, he then became Director of Missions of Nevada Baptist Association and served in that position until his retirement.  The Nevada Baptist Association eventually merged with the Butler Baptist Association to form the Osage River Baptist Association.  He served as DOM (which he affectionately referred to as "Dumb Old Men") when I began my tenure as pastor at FBC, Nevada, MO, in 1979.
     In recent years, John was known as the "funeral" preacher until his health failed.  He actually led in about 1,500 plus funerals.  He told me once when he retired that he would never do another wedding.  And he did not!  Even close friends were occasionally disappointed.  When I asked why he was so firm about not doing any more weddings he laughed, "Bill, I would do weddings if brides did not have mothers!"
     When I first came to Nevada I was green as a gourd.  When I experienced some stress, he shared with me that I needed to take time to relax some, get out of the building, take it easy.  He gave me the example of how, for years, he took time several mornings to have coffee with Ernie Madill who owned and operated Madill's Appliances.  Some will remember their getting together on a regular basis.
     One of  his hobby passions was garage sales/ flea markets.  He knew a bargain on an item and knew how to make a profit by selling it.  When our son, Jamin, was born in 1981, John gave him a bank shaped like a baby in a crib which started a collection of banks which our son still has.  John always walked for his health on a regular basis and would pass our house when we lived at 1503 West Ashland.  Once when we were on vacation in Colorado, a man walked by our cabin and Jamin, just a youngster, said, "There's John!"
     When he retired in 1987, I wrote in FBC's weekly newsletter, THE MAINSPRING, about a phrase that occured over and over again in his monthly bulletin, THE BAPTIST BEACON.  The phrase was, "Our Heavenly Father."  Some examples:  In the "Li'Al" Section (named after his grandaughter) ( February, 1986) in summarizing the moral from one of his jokes, Rev. Nichols said, "Churches want all to come and worhip THE HEAVENLY FATHER whether they are able to pay or not."
      In the "This and That" Section (May, 1986) in reporting an illness of a pastor's wife, Rev. Nichols said, "Bertha Willard was in a single car accident this month and even though the car was totaled, she was protected by THE HEAVENLY FATHER, with only minor cuts and bruises."
      In the "Li'Al" Section (April, 1987) in summrizing the moral from another joke, Rev. Nichols said, "We need to be loyal to our church and our denomination, but above all we need to be loyal to THE HEAVENLY FATHER."
      In the "This and That" Section (August, 1986) in reporting on the associational camp, Rev. Nichols said, "The wonderfuly HEAVENLY FATHER blessed our Youth Camp with fine (though hot) weather, with excellent workers, worship services, teaching, plus delicious food."
      In the "Missionary's Message" Section (November, 1986) in expressing gratitude, Rev. Nichols said, "Since November is the month of Thanksgiving I mentioned some things here that I have already expressed too OUR HEAVENLY FATHER, for which I am grateful."
     It is hard to find a copy of THE BAPTIST BEACON without at least one reference to OUR HEAVENLY FATHER.  We are thankful that OUR HEAVENLY FATHER has provided ministry through the leadership of Rev. John.  And we celebrate the completion of his eternal life with OUR HEAVENLY FATHER in the mansion with many rooms.