Thomas Arthur Nichols

Thomas Arthur Nichols, 81, of Ingleside, TX, passed away peacefully at his home on April 13, 2023. 

He was born in White Plains, NY on October 18, 1941, son of the late Arthur M. and Betty Nichols. Tom grew up in Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, where he developed his love of adventure and the great outdoors. He graduated from Hasbrouck Heights High School in 1959. He then attended Dakota Wesleyan College and continued his education at Texas A&I-Kingsville, where he graduated with a Bachelors in Business Administration in 1968. After graduation, he moved to Ingleside, TX, where he became a lifelong resident. 

Tom worked for 20 years for New York Life Insurance Company, where he enjoyed helping people plan for their future. After retiring from New York Life, Tom pursued a second career in public service and became an Ingleside Police Department police officer for 10 years. 

Tom was an amazing man. Dad was an avid outdoorsman, spending time camping, on his boat, and mowing his yard. For many years, he had a pilots license and enjoyed flying his family around in his Cessna. He also enjoyed rebuilding and refinishing vintage cars and boats. He loved all things construction and was fascinated by how things went together and were built. Many times Dad was known to rebuild and remodel a house from the ground up. He even helped build his beloved log cabin by hand. He loved working with his hands, and was known for helping out anyone with any type of project. As a result of his generous spirit and pleasant personality, Dad was loved by many.  His children always called him “friendly Mr. Nichols,” as he never met a stranger.  Tom also enjoyed being a wheeler and dealer, who enjoyed nothing more than a good deal or a steal at an auction! 

He always enjoyed being in the service of others, and throughout his life he showed this by serving in various community positions, including time as Ingleside ISD School Board President, Ingleside Rotary Club President, and as a coach and umpire for the Ingleside Little League baseball program. One of Dad’s proudest accomplishments was spearheading the development of 120 acres of land into Ingleside’s Live Oak Park. For the last decade, Tom was very active with the Patriot Guard Riders, all of whom are near and dear to his heart. He served as a Ride Captain and Treasurer for the local chapter of PGR. 

If you asked him what his greatest accomplishment in life was, it was his children. Tom and Lauren were his pride and joy. 

Tom is survived by his loving wife of 11 years, Dawna Nichols, His son Thomas (Molly) Nichols II, His daughter Lauren (Ernie) Jimenez, stepson James Ward, his seven grandchildren Ernie Jimenez, Logan Vaden, Kristen (Aaron) Reyes, Lesley Vaden, Thomas Nichols III (AKA Trey), Brody Nichols, and Ellery Jimenez, his five great-grandchildren Braeden Jancaric, Aubrey Jancaric, Roxy Reyes, Maggie Taylor, and Barrett Reyes, his sister Nancy Haupt, and his favorite nieces Heidi Haupt (Lauren) and Jennifer Haupt.

The family is especially grateful for Trinity Hospice, especially Nurse Nicole McManus for the loving care she provided to Dad, and for the daily love and support provided to the family by his brothers and sisters in the Patriot Guard Riders. 

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held on May 27, 2023 at 11:00am at Grace Community Church, 1514 Flour Bluff Drive, Corpus Christi, TX 78418

 In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Tom Nichols’ name to the Patriot Guard Riders, Attn: Michelle Bird, PGR Treasurer, 2050 Buckeye Drive, Ingleside TX 78362.

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