Rev. James Allen Nichols

Rev. James Allen Nichols, 95, of Gladstone, MO passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 21, 2024, with his loving wife, Jean, by his side. He was born July 21, 1928, in Okmulgee, OK; son of George and Ethel (Blunk) Nichols.

James Allen was a graduate of Okmulgee High School and earned Boy Scouts highest honor, the Eagle Scout Award. He received a Bachelor of Arts from Phillips University, Enid, OK, a Bachelor of Divinity from Phillips Theological Seminary, Enid, OK, and a Master of Theology from Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, NJ.

James Allen was ordained to the Christian Ministry in 1950 at the First Christian Church, Okmulgee, OK. He served in five churches in five different states – First Christian Church, Skiatook, OK (1954-1959); Fairview Christian Church, Gladstone, MO (1959-1967); First Christian Church, Great Bend, KS (1967-1974); Hilton Christian Church, Newport News, VA (1974-1982) and he retired after serving First Christian Church, Odessa, TX (1984-1992). He also served as the interim minister in IL, TX and multiple churches in the Kansas City area. James Allen celebrated 50 years of ministry in 2000 and he received the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Minister Emeritus award from Fairview Christian Church.

James Allen was married to Mary Agnes Davis from 1955 to 1978 and they had three sons, James Allen, Jr., Monard Davis, and Charles Meredith.

James Allen met Jean Heern Tabacchi in 1982 at his first interim assignment in Carbondale, IL. Their marriage in June 1983 created a loving and fun blended family consisting of six kids between the ages of 15 and 25.

James Allen had a life-long love of music and travel. He started playing the clarinet in 5th grade and he continued to play through high school and college. College band trips provided his first opportunities for travel outside of Oklahoma and ignited his passion to see the world. Throughout his adult life and into retirement, he organized multiple trips abroad with Jean and their friends. Other hobbies included photography, coin, and stamp collecting.

James Allen was loved and will be deeply missed by his wife, Jean; his sons, Allen Nichols (Jef Johnson) and Monard Nichols; daughter-in-law, Michelle Nichols; stepchildren, Mike Tabacchi, Christy (Sam) Panos, and Anne (Bill) Rankin; and grandchildren, Larsen, Beckam, Carter, and Gabriel.

James Allen was preceded in death by his son, Meredith; his parents; and the mother of his sons, Mary Agnes Davis.

Funeral services will be held at 11 AM Friday, February 23, 2024, at Fairview Christian Church (1800 NE 65th St Gladstone, MO 64118). Visitation will be from 10 - 11 AM on Friday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Fairview Christian Church, 1800 NE 65th Street, Gladstone, MO (www.fairviewcc.org) or a charity of your choice.