Odus "Jack" Jackson Nichols Jr.

Odus Jackson Nichols, Jr. (Jack), 80, of Trenton, Georgia, went home to be with the Lord on February 17, 2023. A native of Alabama, Jack grew up in and around Russellville, where his parents instilled in him a genuine love for people and music. Jack was under contract with Tom Stafford of Sparta music company of Florence, Alabama, in the early sixties for songwriting and vocal recording. Sparta music was originally part of the now-famous Muscle Shoals Sound.

Jack followed the Holy Spirit's call to ministry as his faith in Christ deepened. He took a train to Chattanooga at age 23, where he attended Tennessee Temple College. Jack quickly made his mark on campus, becoming active in student life as president of the Music Club, president of his sophomore class, a member of The Weigle Singers and The Weigle Quartet, and served as Music Minister at Trinity Baptist Church in Chattanooga while in college. Jack held the admiration and respect of peers and faculty alike. During his time at Temple, Jack and his brother, Dr. L.W. "Buddy" Nichols, together with classmate Jimmy DeYoung, was instrumental in founding, constructing, and operating WDYN FM, originally a student body project that became a 100,000-watt Christian radio outreach to the Tri-State area, and continues today as WDYN FM Rossville, Georgia. As one of the original broadcasters, Jack logged off the station on the first day of broadcasting. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Tennessee Temple in 1970.

During his sophomore year, Jack met the love of his life, Marilyn Spears of St. Clair Shores, Michigan. On August 17, 1968, Jack and Marilyn were married and shared their passion for Christ and music ministry for over 54 years. He was a gifted choir director, congregational song leader, and vocalist. She, an accomplished pianist, collaborated with him to create various vocal groups, including a Ladies' Trio, Teen Trio, and an Octet. They accepted the call to minister at First Baptist Church in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, where he served as Minister of Music. During their seven-year tenure, Jack became an ordained minister and founded a radio station for First Baptist Church.

Over the next two decades, Jack served as the Minister of Music at Temple Baptist Church, now North Florida Baptist, in Tallahassee, Florida, where he and Marilyn raised their two daughters. Jack's Teen Choir and Marilyn's piano students were comprised of many youths who attended North Florida Christian School, the academic ministry of Temple Baptist. Jack furthered the church's television outreach vision by partnering with a major broadcasting company local affiliate, where services could be viewed live each Sunday at 11 a.m. Desiring to provide quality Christian television programming to the greater Tallahassee viewership, Jack oversaw the design, construction, and general management of TV 65, a low-power television station broadcasting from the church's property. He also started a smaller low-power television station in Perry, Georgia.

Jack moved his family to Trenton, Georgia, in 1995 when he and his brother Buddy created Nichols-Netronics, a Smart Home installation company, and Bose audio residential/commercial franchise. He later resumed his ministerial gifts by working as a Hospice chaplain for Adoration Home Health and Hospice. He felt blessed to encourage, comfort, and provide compassion and hope to his Hospice clients and their families for the past 15 years.

Beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, Uncle, Brother, and Friend, Jack will be dearly missed by all who felt the warmth and love of this Faithful Servant.

Jack is preceded in death by his Parents, Odus Jackson Nichols, Sr. (Nick) and Mattie Nichols. He is survived by his loving Wife, Marilyn; two Daughters, Heather (Mark) Kleiner and April (Brian) Wooten; three Grandchildren, Alyviah Wooten, Marko Kleiner, and Maria Kleiner; Brother Buddy and Sister Shirley; Nieces, Caroline Rowell, and Bethany Moore; Nephews Rob Nichols and Bryan Nichols.

Memorial service with be held Sunday, February 26th at 6 p.m. at City Church of Chattanooga, 7122 Lee Hwy, Chattanooga. The Family will receive friends from 4 p.m. - 6 p.m., followed by the memorial service at 6 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Adoration Foundation. 7625 Hamilton Park Drive Suite 18, Chattanooga, 37421, 423-650-4071

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ChattanoogaEastChapel.com for the Nichols family.

Arrangements are under the care of Chattanooga Funeral Home Crematory and Florist East Chapel, 404 South Moore Rd. East Ridge, TN 37412.