Thomas William Nickols

at Glenbrook Health Center in Carlsbad, CA. Tom was born in Cedar Rapids, IA. The family moved to Iowa City, IA where as a boy he worked in his parents’ grocery store. He had a love of horses at a young age and learned to train and show his saddlebred horse, Diamond. In 1946 the family moved to Northridge, CA. During his senior year at Canoga High School he met his future wife Pat. They attended UCLA together and were married in July 1951 in Westwood. Tom sold his horse to buy Pat’s engagement ring, he used to say he traded one Diamond for another. Upon graduation Tom went to work for Sunbeam and within two years was promoted(?) to Fargo, ND. Fortunately, more promotions followed and now a family of 5, they found themselves living in Elmhurst, IL near Sunbeam’s Corporate Headquarters. In the 1960’s and 1970’s he was recruited to join the senior management teams of Schick and McGraw Edison. While both experiences were rewarding, Tom and Pat longed to be back in Southern California. In 1978 they moved from Columbia, MO to Anaheim, CA and purchased a small manufacturing plant. Tom became president, head of sales, chief financial officer, head of human resources and loved it! After several decades they sold the business, Flexmetal, and retired to Rancho Santa Fe, CA in 1988. Tom’s love for the business world continued with active involvement in Fairbanks committees, and mentoring small businesses as a Score consultant.

Tom filled his life with many interests and activities. He enjoyed family summers at their cottage by Lake Geneva, WI. He loved collecting old cars, especially his 1929 Lincoln. Tom liked to run and ran the Rock’ n’ Roll Marathon on his 69th birthday. He and Pat traveled extensively, around the US, Europe, Russia, and China. He cherished his friendships, old and new, that lasted a lifetime. Tom was a very loving and caring husband, father and grandfather. He is survived by his wife Pat, son Tom Jr. (Janet), daughters Linda (Dave) Ryan, Sandra Nickols, sister-in-law Sue Nickols, seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

A celebration of Tom’s life will be held at the Village Church in Rancho Santa Fe at 1:30 PM on Friday, May 5th. A reception will follow at La Costa Glen at 3:30 PM.